PUBLIC WORKS

Evening Star, Issue 22453, 25 September 1936, Page 11

PUBLIC WORKS

IMPROVEMENTS IN OTAGO DEPARTMENT'S FIVE-YEAR PLAH As part of the five-year plan instituted by the Public Works Department this year in anticipation of its taking full control of the State highways at a later date, several major works are now under way in the Otago province, while others of a smaller nature are also in progress in various parts of the district. The chief woi-ks undertaken were explained to a reporter this morning by the district engineer (Mr T. M. Ball). A staff of carpenters has now been at work for some time preparing the accommodation for the men to be employed on the construction of the Haast Pass road, which, when completed, will open up a good deal of country between the Hollyford end of the tunnel, that is being bored through the Homer Saddle, and the West Coast, continuing in line with the coast as far as Haast, where it will link with existing roads. Single men will be employed on this road, as the conditions arc unsuitable for men who have families, and it is expected to have the job fully manned in the course of a few weeks, xis a good deal of the road will have to be cut through bush country, the process of construction will necessarily not be so speedy as in the case of many other new rqads established in more open spaces. »

Reconstruction work on the Invercar-gill-Christchurch main highway between Balclutha and Milton has now been commenced by some 40 men, but the number of workers will bo increased to 160 shortly. Extensive improvements are to be carried out to this portion of the highway, and will include alterations to the alignment of the road, necessitating cutting deviations through private property at certain points, making changes in tho depth of the metal and the shape of the road, and resurfacing tho whole length when the preliminary work is finished. General improvements are also being made to tho Clyde-Cromwell Gorge road, the work of widening and resealing it being well in hand at present. During June, July, August, and the early part of September the men engaged at the Homer tunnel were handicapped as a result of the snow, which frequently fell in small avalanches. As soon as one of these had been experienced the workmen had to suspend operations in the tunnel to clear away the 'general disorder that had been caused by tho avalanche. This naturally put back progress with the building of the actual tunnel. However, there are definite signs of spring in Central Otago, and it is not anticipated that any further trouble will come from avalanches this year. Meanwhile the men are pushing on with the tunnel work.

There are also 50 men employed in making improvements to the road leading through the Lindi.s Pass. They have now completed a stretch of nine miles, and there is a similar distance yet to bo reconstructed.