MORE HIGHWAYS REPORTED SEALED NEAR WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 51, 31 May 1950, Page 5

MORE HIGHWAYS REPORTED SEALED NEAR WHAKATANE

“From Whakatane, sealing is now continuous for six miles towards Tauranga, for 12i- miles towards Opotiki (including most of the Waimana Gorge), and as far as Lake Rotoma on the Whakatane-Rotorua State highway,” the chairman, Mr O. G. Thornton, stated in his report presented to the annual meeting of the No. 3 District Highways Council held at Rotorua. The sealing on the last named highway excludes a six mile gap on the new Awa-keri-Te Teko section.

The meeting was attended by members representing the following counties: Mr J. L. Burnett (Whakatane), Mr W. A. Gault (Opotiki), Mr V. C. Florey (Rotorua), Mr H. B. Capamagian (Tauranga). Representing the Main Highways Board was Mr Thorpton, and representing the non-functioning County of Taupo, Mr A. Bluck, Senior Engineer, Ministry of Works. Rotorua. Wainui Highway

“During the year,” Mr Thornton continued, “the Wainui highway was altered to pass through Ohope. The total length of highways at the end of the year was 808 miles 55 chains, of which -628 miles 31 chains is State highway and the balance 180 miles 24 chains main highway. Of this, latter, a length of 69 miles is controlled and maintained by the board, so that a length of only 111 miles 24 chains is under the direct control of the four County Councils and the boroughs within the district.

The chairman said the 4ong, dry summer experienced throughout the district had made the care of metalled and pumice roads extremely difficult, but with the slightly better grader position this year, and the rapidly increasing length of dustless surface, justifiable complaints had been very few. He continued: “There is still a considerable length of heavily trafficked State highway, especially between Waihi and Tauranga, and between ' Whakatane and Opotiki, where dust nuisance and ravelling nave to be contended with.” Maintenance Cost

Mr Thornton stated that where carriageways are already sealed, the application of a maintenance seal coat every six or seven years is a necessary measure. Practically the whole of the sealed length, outside of boroughs, is on State highways or main highways under departmental control, and a regular programme of resealing is aimed at. Unfortunately, through lack of materials, this programme for several years had fallen behind schedule. Over 20 miles of reseating was carried out last year but it will be necessary to make provision for a considerable length of resealing in the coming year.

‘On the Whirinaki River bridge at Te Whaiti,” continued the report “construction has been completed up to the underside of the girder, and a contract has ben let for the Good progress has been made on the contract for the Rangitaiki River bridge at Edgecumbe, consisting of 10 60ft spans. The abutments and two spans have been erected, piles for two more piers driven, and the contractor is ariving sheet piling for the coffer dam of the first deep-water pier. ~ “A considerable amount of repairs to wooden bridges throughout the district was carried out and much more will be required in the coming year until materials are available for the permanent renewal of many of these old bridges. Reconstruction Work “Heavy reconstruction has been completed on five and-a half miles of State highway at Lake Rotoiti, Kaimai Hills and Waimana Gorge. “At Opotiki, there is now a continuous length of 1U miles of sealing from Waiotahi to the entrance of the Waioeka Gorge.

“Next year’s work will consist largely of second-coat work on surface already primed or given only a first coat of tar and chip. The addition last year of 374 miles to Ihe length of dustless highway in No. 3 district is a creditable achievement,” Mr Thornton concluded.