HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 203, 5 July 1939, Page 2

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

OTOKO HILL PROJECT “ GiSBORNErOPOTiKL ROAD OTHER lAIPORTANT WORKS Reading problems'" in the Poverty J3ay and East Coast districts are mentioned in a review of the main highway system submitted to the annual meeting of the INO. 4 District Main Highways Council, which was held in Gisborne recently, when proposals for some big works were submitted. The report, in referring to the Gis-.bgrne-Opotiki road states: — “The chief item under tlie heading of renewals has been the reconstruction .of the Waipaoa River bridge at Kaiteratahi, which has been completed except for the approaches, which are in progress under a separate contract. This "bridge, consists of six 90ft. spans, 24ft. roadway, and is wholly of reinforced concrete except for the girders, which are of steel, plate and handrails of wood. Two pedestrian refuges were provided. “Replacement of Scott’s bridge at 14m. 26c. by a. battery of culverts and a filling on greatly improved alignment is well advanced. The contractor was delayed considerably through inability to obtain the large diameter pipes as required, otherwise the deviation would have been metalled and opened for this winter’s traffic. Fencing and formation have been completed.

“A contract has been let for reconstruction and sealing of the length 14.1 m. to 11.35 m. at Ormond, exclusive of Kaiteratahi Hill, which is embraced in a separate proposal for the elimination" .of the level crossing by an overbridge and filling at the southern end of the hill. “it was not found possible to commence the work on the northern side of Otcko Hill, as a complete revision or the engineering survey andi location had to be made in order to conform as far as practicable with present day standards. As the soil formation has a decided tendency to instability the revision demanded -much time and attention of the engineering, staff. Full proposals were forwarded recently to the board for approval, andl it is hoped to get a contract let- in time for an early commencement next season. “The volume .of earthwork is very heavy and hold-ups of traffic will be unavoidable, consequently the contract will require to be handled with adequate modern plant in order to reduce traffic interruption to a minimum. Complete engineering proposals also have been forwarded recently to the board for approval covering preparation and sealing of '3O chains through the Alatawai township. This will involve the talking of land from the hotel frontage, and the erection of a retaining wall in the creek bend opposite the hotel.”