NORTH ISLAND ROADS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 122, 21 February 1928, Page 10

NORTH ISLAND ROADS

MAIN HIGHWAYS WORKS IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND Good progress is being made with the improvements of many sections of main highways throughout the Dominion. At tho monthly meeting of the Main Highways Board, the Highways Engineer (Mr. A. Tyndall) submitted a lengthy statement covering the most important works carried out during January. This included the following works of district interest :— Gisborne—Wairoa, via Morerc.—Black’s Bridge: The erection of this bridge has been completed. The bituminous grouting work between 11.8 miles and 14.3 miles has been completed. Gisborne-Opotiki, via the Coast.—The metalling of the section between 22 miles 6 chains and 22 miles 56 chains lias been completed. Kopuaroa No. 1 bridge: A start lias been made with the erection of this bridge. Gisborne-Opotiki, via Jfotu. — The waterdrive at 3G.8 miles has been completed, and the deviation at 39 miles lias also been completed. Wairoa-Gisborne, via Hangaroa.—The erection of Parker’s culvert and Bayle’s culvert has been completed. Horseshoe Bend deviation: This formation work is in hand.

Napier-Wellington, via Wairarapa. Waipawa County Section.—The remaining 2 miles of unsealed road between Waipawa and Waipukurau has been given a first sealing coat and a start has been made with the second bitumen coat on that portion sealed last year. Dannevirke County Section—A further 2 miles of this section north of Dannevirke has been given a first sealing coat. The whole of th© section between Dannevirke and the Woodville county boundary has been given a first sealing coat. . . Piri Piri Railway Crossing Elimination —A start has been made with the erection of tho overbridge across the railway line at Piri Piri. Mangatowai-iti Deviation—Work on this deviation is progressing favourably. The half width of the road has been completed for practically the whole length. Whakaruatapu Deviation.—The formation work on this deviation is progressing satisfactorily. . Matahiwi Hill Deviation.—The formation work on this deviation is almost complete. Woodville County Section—l he highway between the railway crossing south of Oringi and the Matahiwi deviation has been given a first sealing coat. Napier-Tuki Tuki via Omahu—laradale Town Board section: The whole ot this section has been given a first sealing Hastings-Maraekakaho. — Maraekakaho bridge: Tho steel joists for this bridge have been placed in position. Kawhia-Auckland-Wellington Road.— County boundary to Waipa River: ihe metalling of the unmetalled gap is progressing satisfactorily. The lower course of metal has been laid between 23 miles 50 chains and 26 miles 5 chains; also from 29 miles 57 chains to 31 miles M chains.

Auckland-Wellington, via Taranaki. Hangatiki-Te Kuiti.—A further 1 mile 98 chains of metalling has been completed. . Mokau River Bridge.-The erection of the dolphins for this bridge i« in hand. Mokau-Pukearulie. —85. V chains of this section has been metalled, and grouted with bitumen. Inglewood County Section. —A 4ft. by 4ft. concrete culvert north of Inglewood has been completed; also 1 mile of bituminous grouting work has been completed betweeh Tariki and Waipuku, Eltham County Section. —A further 31) chains of this section has been widened lsft ’ < - <l, Patea County Section.- -A further 13 chains in the Manutahi Gorge has been grouted with bitumen. Waitotara County Section.—l ive miles of this section has been surfaced with bitumen. . . To Kuiti-Bulls, via Tauniarunui.— Kiwi Road Section: The formation work on this section is almost complete. Stratford-Tainnarunui.— Harvey Road to County Boundary: The metalling of the Tokirima Hill is almost complete. Ongarue River Bridge.—Two spans of this bridge have been completed, and the girders of the third span are being built. „ „ Lepperton Junction-TTawora via Opn nake^—Taranaki county section: 90 chains of this section between Timaru and Pitone roads and GO chains on the Tapuae Road have been surfaced with bitumen. Egmont county section; A further 31 chains of this section has been metalled and grouted with bitumen. Heimama Stream bridge: The southern pier of this bridge has been completed, and a stai;t has been made with the centre pier. New Plymouth-Kaimata, via Ingle, wood.—lnglewood county section: The bituminous grouting of 40 chains of this section near Bristol Road is in hand. Wanganui-Hqropito.—A further 13 chains of this highway has been widened and 25 chains metalled. Wellington-Auckland, via Taranaki. Johnsonville-Tawa Flat section: The widening at Piebald Corner is almost complete. Horokiwi Valley-Paekakanki.—A further 78 chains of this section has been surfaced with bitumen. Waikanae to Manaknu.—2 miles 27 chains of the i;oad between Waikanae and To Horo has been grouted with bitumen. Good progress is being made with the deviation between Otaki and Manakan. Sanson-Rangitikei River. —1 mile 20 chains of this section south of tho Rangitikei River bridge has been given a first sealing coat. ' Foxton-Shannon. Manawatu River Bridge.—All the steel girders for this bridge have arrived at the site, and are being assembled. Waling and sheeting have been placed on till the piers. Himitangi-Ashhurst, via Palmerston North. Burke’s Creek Bridge.-The erection of this bridge is in hand. Greatford-Woodville, vial Fielding, and Ashhurst.—The erection of the bridges at Swamp and McDonnell's Creeks is in hand. Wellington-Napier, via Wairarapa. Carterton Borough Boundary to Waingawa Bridge.—s 7 chains of bituminous grouting work has been completed. Mangatainoka Stream Bridge.-The piles have been driven for the southern abutment for this bridge, and the decking has been completed on tho five northern spans. The northern approaches of the bridge are well in hand. Featherston-Mnrtinborougli.—67 chains of bituminous grouting work has been completed from the Waihonga Bridge towards Featherston. Westport-Nelson. Ohiknnui River Bridge.—Tho improvement to the approaches of this bridge is in hand. Back Creek Bridge.—The erection of this bridge, consisting of 3 25ft. spans, has been completed. Hawke’s Crag Creek Bridge.—The erection of this bridge is in hand.