AUCKLAND HARBOUR TUNNEL

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24895, 7 June 1946, Page 5

AUCKLAND HARBOUR TUNNEL

TWO POSSIBLE METHODS SUGGESTED

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, June 6. An exploration of the harbour bottom over an area between Mechanics' Bay and the Devonport naval base has been carried out during the last five weeks by the staff of the Auckland Harbour Board at the request of the Works Department. This work was undertaken to provide evidence for the Royal Commission on trans-har-bour facilities regarding the possibility of constructing a tunnel beneath the Auckland harbour. Eighteen steel pipes were driven, some of them to depths of more than 100 feet, and mud levels and papa rock levels recorded. Giving evidence before the commission, Mr P. L. Lang (Works Department) used the results of these tests to suggest two possible methods of tunnelling. The first of these provided for a tunnel nearly tVvo miles long through papa beneath the sea bed. having a 22ft roadway and one footway. The* second suggestion was a tunnel of the prefabricated or “floating” type as used from Oakland Bay to Alameda, California, having a 22ft roadway and one footway. Of its estimated length of 9700 ft. 4000 ft would be prefabricated and floated into position, an allowance of 30ft of water at low tide being made to nrotect. shipping.