Two years after the closure of Manawatū Gorge Road, residents in towns on both sides of the ranges say their quality of life and the local economy are suffering.
It will be at least another six years before the new road will be ready.
Birdsong has replaced the rumble of traffic on the road that for 145 years was the bustling connection between Manawatū and Hawke's Bay.
The road was abandoned in 2017 when a massive slip blocked the way. It is now only guerrilla trampers who ignore the orange cones at the entrance way to brave the dilapidated track that was once the Manawatū Gorge Road.
About 6000 vehicles a day are now diverted through the little town of Ashhurst, missing the main road and heading straight down a residential street.
Scott Groves has lived in Salisbury Street for three years. He moved in just three months before the Gorge closed permanently.
He said it had turned his residential street into what felt like State Highway One.
"So we went from a silent street to absolute chaos," he said.
Mr Groves said he had to take sleeping pills at night to sleep as the noise of trucks shook the house like an earthquake.
"We have a peak hour: It starts at 6am with trucks, going through to about 8am. You cannot sleep between those times.
"In the evening between about five o'clock and seven o'clock you cannot listen to the news inside, even with the TV turned up - the noise inside the house is that loud."
Mr Groves, who has a disability, said it was too dangerous to use his driveway as large logging trucks thundered past.
He said New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) was not listening - and residents were facing at least another six years of this while the new road is built.
Another Ashhurst resident, Harvey Jones, could hear the rumbling of the trucks from his property two kilometres away.
He said locals were fed up.
"They'd like the traffic out of Ashhurst because it's just interrupting our peaceful night time.
"We used to be able to hear native birds…but now we can't because of all the traffic going through."
Despite the increase in vehicles travelling through the area, Mr Jones did not think it had provided much of a boost to local businesses because the route bypassed the main shopping area.
But while Ashhurst businesses were never dependent on Gorge traffic to survive, over the hill in Woodville, the closure had been a huge blow.
The Wind Farm Cafe had been on the main street of Woodville for more than a decade.
Its owner Tommy Le said they had survived the numerous temporary and now permanent Gorge Closures by relying on local support.
He said they have watched businesses come and go, but people were always hungry and needed coffee.
"People still come inside Woodville for a cup of coffee, cake or pie, so it's not a big issue - but I do notice there is less traffic compared to before."
Tararua councillor Shirley Hull said the first years were quiet for Woodville with multiple business closures, but things were on the up.
"I think people are hearing about what is coming next for Woodville, and that's the new road."
But 91- year old Noni Sandilands is not giving up. He has collected 863 signatures for his petition to save the gorge.
He said the Saddle Road was not well equipped to deal with 6000 vehicles that were driving it each day.
"Of that, 2000 are heavy trucks and 3000 to 4000 are cars."
While he was in support of the new road, he thought the gorge should be opened for light traffic to relieve Ashhurst of some strain.
The new road, Te Ahu a Turanga, is due be finished in 2024.
NZTA project manager Lonnie Dalzell said the initial designation for the road had been appealed by three groups.
They were looking to mediate.
Mr Dalzell said the next stage was a second round of consenting with Horizons Regional Council.
