OPOTIKI-GISBORNE HIGHWAY

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 96, 12 October 1938, Page 4

OPOTIKI-GISBORNE HIGHWAY

WAIKOHU DEVIATION TWO BRIDGES FINISHED Although the two bridges on the Waikoliu deviation on the GisborneUpotiki State highway have been completed for some time there is no prospect of that section of the highway being used by motorists until later in the summer. The deviation will eliminate the crossing of the one-way bridge at Mr Hutchinson’s, and skirt much low-ly-ing land that is subject, to flooding. It starts on the Gisborne end at the Waikoliu combined rail and trafficbridge and continues behind the railway station to cross the Waikoliu combined rail and traffic bridge and continues behind the railway station to cross the Waikoliu and Wharekopae rivers, and joins the present highway near the Waikoliu School.

Alotorists, knowing that the work was started many months ago and that the bridge bad been completed, have made many enquiries of the resident A.A. patrol, AJr D. At. AlcGregor, and lie .lias made the . result of his enquiries available for publication. The work lias been delayed for the same reason that many other similar contracts have been held up during the past winter of extremely wet. weather.

The contracts for the fillings on the approach road was let some time ago, but, owing to the saturated state of the ground and the size of some of the larger fillings, it- has been impossible for the lorries to convey the necessary spoil to the site. Mr. .McGregor learned from the Public Works Department that the work would be started immediately the ground was sufficiently hard to permit the laaen lorries to traverse tho unformed track. It is believed that a- mechanical shovel will he taken to the site at on early date to facilitate the loading of the lorries.—P.B. Herald.