Waipawa businesses fear the partial closure of the main road through the small central hawkes bay town could kill them.
The say they only found out last week that the North bound lane of State Highway two will closed for up to six weeks, with a diversion taking precious customers away from the town centre and shops while the district's still getting back on its feet after the cyclone.
The road closure is for storm water maintenance and the installation of raised safety crossings.
Waipawa Butchery owner Duncan Smith speaks to Lisa Owen.
Waka Kotahi says the Waipawa community has been advocating for speed reduction and safety improvements for its main street - and consultation with the community began at the beginning of the year.
It says it listened to the business community and adapted its traffic management for the stormwater work to a stop-go arrangement that allows traffic to travel both directions and use the car parks outside the shops.
It will be working on an adjusted traffic management plan for construction of the crossings and will share these with the community prior to construction start.
Overnight work was considered, but is not possible for the raised safety platforms.
