Highway Being Improved Near Taupo

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1948, Page 2

Highway Being Improved Near Taupo

- ' TAUPO, Friday 10. Grcat iiriprovemcnta are being mado to the main highway botwecn Taupo and N ational I'ark. This road, over which inany overseas tourists trav oi, has beoa notcd for its dust, which has spoilcd wliat could bc a beautiful drive ai'ound Lalce Taupo. During the past 12 inonlhs numerous short lengtlis of the surface have been tar-soaled but mucli still romains to be donc. A grcat deal of work has been done rccentJy in widening the road and removing dangerous cornors. Particuiar aftontion has been paid to the streteli kuDwn as Earthquake Vailoy and the Hatepe 11111, a fcw iniles soulli of Taupo. Driving over the hill was an ordeal for evcn the best drivers because of its numerous sharp bends and narrow cuttings. A large diesel powered sliovel is now widening the road through tiie cuttings and at corners, and using the spoil i'or tilliugs. It is intended to mcrease the widlh to a nunimum of 22ft. It is hoped to have the wliolc longtli of the highway sealed by Marcli, i 940, llius providing a sealed road for tlie wliolc distance from Taupo to Wellington. Only short strctclies north of Taupo will tlien romaiu to be sealed to give a dust-freo highway from Auckland to Wellington. "Work on these sections is being carried out as men and matcrial become available.