HIGHWAY

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 35, 23 May 1938, Page 4

HIGHWAY

' opening date doubtful SFT. OF WATER IN FARTS The opening- 6f the Napier-Wairoa section of the liighwy betwaen -Gisborne and Napier is still doubtful, although it is/ expected that the route will be available for traffic in a month. The main difficulty is on the southern side of the Whirinaki Hill, two and ahalf miles north of the Esk River bridge, and at which point 30 chains of the road are still covered to a depth of oft. with water. It was xepected to have the section of the Napier-Taupo _road through the Esk Valley open on Saturday last, However, motorists were being warned that if further rain fell within the next few days the highway probably would become impassable again. The remainder of the iaupo road was open during the daytime to experienced drivers.

The temporary low-level .bridge spanning tlie Esk River was completed last Wednesday. It has been found that the damage done to the highway across the Devil’s Elbow was much lpss than was at first estimated. Most of the road was buried in slips, but the greater part of the surface was intact.

A start has been made with the creetion of a temporary suspension traffic bridge across the Waikoau River and it is expected that it will be another fortnight before the structure is available to traffic.