The Ruapehu District Council's working out what the closure of State Highway 4 will mean for the local economy

State Highway 4 between Whanganui and Raetihi's been closed since Wednesday and a huge crack has appeared about 500-metres north of the Matahiwi Track.

Mayor Don Cameron says they're waiting on clarification from NZTA around how long it will take to reinstate the road.

But Mr Cameron says when a 2015 slip closed the road for three weeks,it cost local businesses around 1.5-million-dollars.

Mayor Cameron says he hopes, that with sufficient signage, they'll still be able to draw people through to the Ruapehu District along alternative routes.