PAEKAKARIKI ROAD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 272, 13 August 1919, Page 11

PAEKAKARIKI ROAD

IMPROVEMENT OF GRADES

PROPOSALS OF THE MINISTER

A QUESTION OF COST

A communication from the Minister of Public Works (Hon. Sir "William J'raser), dealing with, tho matter of the improvement of the Paekakariki Hill Road, was received by tho liutt County Council at its meetiug yesterday. Bepre6entations on tho subject wero made to tho Minister by a deputation, from the council some months ago. In his letter the Minister stated that the survey, together with tho plans and '■ specifications, had now been complete*! lor tiie. improvement of tho grades, width, and view along tho Paekakariki Ilill Hoad. It was found, however, owing to tho very irregular grading of the road as existing, that it would not be possible to effect all the improvements which might he obtained except at a cost which was hardly warranted. If tho road could bo entirely regrnded a grade of 1 in U.fi could bo obtained, but owing to the irregularities, portions ot the grade must bo as steep as 1 in 10. That, however, was very muck natter timn tho short pieces of grade of 1 in C.B at, present existing along some portions ot the. road. "It is proposed," the' letter continued, r 'to form tiio road with 11 minimum width of Nift., which, with care, will enable cars to pass one another. It is also arranged to excavato ou tho hillside at several points sufficiently to enablo a view of at least 100 ft. tu be obtained around the corners. It is. also proposed to erect along tho outer edge of the worst portions of tho road a substantial fenco of reinforced concrete posts, with four wires each of i\'o. i gauge. This fence will be of sufficient strength to prevent a car running over the edge 6hould it by any mean's run backwards. It will also prevent cars going over tho edge during ordinary travelling if they are drivtn at a moderate speed. ,

"An alternative proposal has been made by one local authority, and I be- ! lievo by others interested, to construct I a new road from Pareinata, on/Porirua I Harbour, to Paekakariki, approximately ; via the route of the railway line. This, i however, would cost a considerable sum of money, not paly, with regard to formation, but also lor building a bridge I over Porirua Harbour. The coustruc- } tion of the proposed deviation of tlio , railway southwards of Paekakariki will i also affect both the construction and tho location of tho proposed road; Tho railway and road should be constructed at the same time for some distanoo. The road would then consist merely of a widening of the railway formation. When tho proposed railway deviation is completed and opened for traffic, the present railway line .will -bo available for uso as a road from Pukerua Summit down to Plimmcrton, but tho portion from Pukerua Summit, to Paekakariki would not be suiiablo for 1 road purposes owing to the considerable number ot. tunnels. The estimated cost of the work recommended by tho engineer-in-due! on tne portion of tho road from tho foot of the hill at Paekakariki Bailway Station to a short distance from tho top on die Horokiwi Valley side is d&WOO. There is, as you are aware, a small item of ,£251) on" account of .£SOO (M for i!l) on the current public works apportionments for this road. .4 considerable portion of the traffic over the I hill arises from the lUanawatu district I and from the city of Wellington, and it i is probable that your council may consider that other local bodies besides yourI self, should contribute towards tho cost i of the improvements, and it is possible : that the Automobilo Association may be | prepared to contribute owing to tho fact that the work would bo beueficinl to its members.

It your council is of opinion that other local bodies should contribute, it will be necessary for it to take tho Beeps prescribed by sections 109 and 119 of the Public Works Act, 1008, and for that purpose I shall bo pleased to supply you with copies of tho plans and specifications relating to the work proposed to be undertaken. .As mentioned" previously the estimated cost of tho work recommended by the ciigineer-iti-chief is jCMOO, and, as stated at tho depulaion, 1 am prepared lo find half of the cost, As it is desirablo that the improvements should be completed at an early date, an authority lor .£SOO as part of tho money to be contributed by mo has been issued to the district onguieer, who already, has a party ot men employed. I regret, however, that Tarn uuablo to undertake work in excess of without receiving a contribution of at least that amount from your council as the local authority of the district, I shall be glad, therefore, if you will havo a payment-of .£SOO, or larger sum, made to;,tlio credit of tho Public Account at the Bank of' New .Zealand at your earliest convenience', and forward the bank receipt to the Under-,,Secretary for Public Works. If your council is of opinion that other local uudi'cs should contribute, it will bo necessary for vou to take immediate action with a v'ew to securing the appointment of u commission in order that there may be no suspension of operations unless you aro in a position to advanco tlio wholo or half of the estimated cost in the meantime."

The council decided to postpone- consideration of tho points raised in the letter until its next meeting.