EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5195, 26 October 1927, Page 2

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

PROGRESS BEYOND WAIHI.

BALLASTING WORK BEHIND-HAND.

In his annual Public Works Statement, which, was presented to Parliament on Friday last, the Hon. K. S. Williams, in commenting on the East Coast main trunk railway from Wa’hi eastwards, states:—

“This important work, which will give railway, access to the important Bay of Plenty district, is nearing completion, and it is anticipated that the whole of the 87 miles of railway now under construction will bej handed over to the Railway Department within twelve months. The controlling factor is the time required by the contractors for the completion of the Waihi-Tauranga contract. “In May of this year the Railway Department took over a completed length of 14 miles between Waihi and Tahawai, over which the Public Works Department had maintained a service.

“Beyond this length comes the length of 19 miles 11 ehainsi which, is bejing constructed by Messrs Sir WG. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co. under contract. The contractors have almost completed the formation, though a good deal of trouble and extra work has been caused through embankments on soft foundations subsiding. During the year 600;000 cubic yards of earthwork were done. Bridging is practically complete;, save the reconstruction of the Wainui Stream bridge, not yet started. The greater part of the platelaying and station-buildj,ng is complete, but the ballasting work is far behind. At the end of June last only one-third of the. total ballasting on tjhe contract had been done, approximately 55,000 cubic yards of ballast still having to be supplied. The date for completion of contract was March 27, 1927.

‘‘On the 68 miles of railway stretching to Taneatua, over which the department has maintained a regular pasaenge.r and goods service, substantial progress was made towards completion of all works; including widening of banks with work-trains, ballasting, station-buildings and bridging ; 534 lineal feet of bridging in plate-girder spans were completed, approximately 50,000 yards of ballast were spread, and 150,000 1 cubic yards of earthwork and rock excavated."