Part of State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier will reopen for three hours this evening, after it was closed due to a large slip yesterday.
The road will reopen with traffic management in place at 5pm today, before closing overnight from 8pm.
It comes amid fears that more debris could still fall on the road.
Heavy rainfall over the weekend led to the slip which blocked both lanes of the road near Waikare Rd, between Kotemaori and Putorino.
The precarious state of the storm-damaged highway means even a small amount of rain can cause widespread disruption. (Source: 1News)
Yesterday's damage was the second time that the major road had to be closed due to a slip over the past two weeks.
Waka Kotahi system manager for Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti, Martin Colditz, said crews have been working at the site to ensure the road is safe to use.
"The road will need to close again at 8pm ahead of nightfall," he said.
"For people travelling tonight, please ensure you're through the barrier points by 7pm to give time to get through the site before 8pm."
For the second time in the past two weeks the road has been closed due to a slip. (Source: 1News)
Colditz said work is currently underway to determine whether the road can remain open after 8pm.
"We will provide an update as soon as possible if that's the case."
He said there are plans in place to reopen the road to one lane from 8am tomorrow, depending on an assessment of the site.
Delays are expected and motorists have been advised to drive to the conditions through the slip site.
Earlier this year, slips wrecked the road during Cyclone Gabrielle and left the Wairoa community cut off from the rest of Hawke's Bay for months.
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