OPOTIKI-CISBORNE HIGHWAY

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 27, 29 April 1938, Page 2

OPOTIKI-CISBORNE HIGHWAY

BRIDGES ON DEVIATION ONE! BRIDGE- COMPLETED Good progress is being made, on the bridges on the deviation of the Opoti-ki-G isborne highway between AYaikulia and Waikohu. Work is only proceeding on the bridges and the roadwork will be taken in. hand later on. One of the three bridges to form the deviation has been completed, and is a very r fine structure, with sufficient width for two-way traffic. The bridge is of reinforced concrete. The middle bridge is well under yvay. It will be some considerable time before the whole scheme is completed when the third bridge over the Waikohu river will he constructed to replace the existing rail and road bridge as far as vehicular traffic is concerned. One railway crossing lias already, been eliminated on the Gisborne side of the combined bridge, by the cutting hack of the hill: and running the roadway on the, upstream side of the line.

The ultimate scheme will eliminate three railway crossings. At present the roadway is across the l exceptionally narrow swing-bridge and then winds along the hillside and down oil to a portion of the ground .frequently covered by heavy floods. The first bridge spans the Wharckopae stream and the second and third bridges me across the river. When the whole work a big improvement made in the main highway- of the swing bridge,^Railway crossings will add greatly'ta ij fhe safety of the