THE OPOTIKI NEWS Wednesday, August 3, 1938. THE COASTAL HIGHWAY

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 65, 3 August 1938, Page 2

THE OPOTIKI NEWS Wednesday, August 3, 1938. THE COASTAL HIGHWAY

Reference to the now Coastal Highway between Opotiki ' and Gisborne, was made by the touring manager, Mr Champtaloup, at last night’s meeting in the Parish Hall, when addresses were given by the president, Mr Farrell, and the touring manager. Mr Champtaloup referred to the keen disappointment that had been felt in • the delay in completing building of the bridges on the nute. 'Floods had swept- away sonic of the existing bridges and the weather lpitl also held up the work on the road. The Coast residents had had unenviable experiences this year. The matter had been taken up by the association and it was hoped that something definite would be done this year. A large sum had- been placed on the estimates for bridges and road work and the association had the assurance that work on the road would be completed as gone on with, this meaning that the metalling would to flow on with the earth work.

The. A.A. (Auckland) is to be congratulated on its efforts to have the new Coastal route completed as, ah all-weather road. Promises had been made over a long period that the work would be completed in reasonable time but settlers and tourists have had to wait considerably longer than was anticipated some years ago, when there was strong agitation to open up the coastal route as a scenic highway. It had been hoped t-liai when the road had been metalled throughout its length that very little trouble would be experienced on the road, but unfortunately, bridging lagged behind and to-day the road is still only, usable as a through route in fine weather. It has to be admitted that- the unprecedented flooding on the coast has,, delayed some of the work very seriously and the washing away of some of the spans of the Kereu low-level bridge on more than one occasion meant- further delay as bridge-building plant was diverted from the Raukokore bridge to the Kereu bridge. The latter bridge is now being considerably altered and by using ramps the main part of the bridge is to be raised to what is considered ■ a safe level. Work oh the Raukokore bridge lias been exceptionally slow and there now apepars to be little hope that this structure will be completed by the end of the year.

It is generally admitted that the coastal highway, which is considered to have unrivalled, scenic views, should have been completed years ago. Unless exceptionally fine weather is experienced this summer the road will hardly be one .that can be recommnedcd tot tourists in. view of the lack of bridges. However, when completed, the route will- undoubtedly he used by thousands of tourists, as its beauties are already widely known. Apart from its scenic attractions, the road will open up a real fisherman’s paradise, the sea in the vicinity of Wailiau Bay providing wonderful linefishing, and literally teeming with fish.

Material is already on the site for some of the smaller .bridges• and there appears no doubt that at last a real effort is being made, to put the new highway in -really first-class border and 1939 should see. the bridging completed and the road widened and improved throughout its length.

The coast settlers have been working under a severe handicap for many weary years and production should increase greatly when transport is able to operate without constant trials.

The Opotiki people are very grateful . for the assistance, rendered over many years by the Auckland A.A. in the agitation from this district and Gisborne for the construction of the scenic highway.