MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 74

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The Alain Highways Board held its monthly meeting at Wellington. The board dealt with a question of considerable importance to motorists, namely, that of painting white centre lines on the principal highways which are bitumen-surfaced. The board considered that the painting of white centre lines was essential, particularly on highways carrying a heavy volume of traffic and also on curves where there was restricted visibility. The board has decided to encourage local bodies to paint a white centre line on black surfaced roads as far as possible by the payment of two-thirds of the cost. An extensive bridging proposal affecting the main highway from Dunedin southwards was advanced to a further 'stage, when the board approved plans and specifications for the new bridge over the Clutha River at Balclutha. The new bridge is to be a steel truss structure on cylinders and the estimated cost is £58,000. The board will provide subsidy on a £2 for £1 basis for the first £lO,OOO, a £3 to £1 subsidy between £lO,OOO and £30,000, and the whole of the remaining expenditure. This arrangement will involve the interested local bodies in a liability of under £9OOO, and the board proposes to make a citation on Balclutha Borough and the Bruce and Clutha Count}' Councils each to pay one-third of that sum.

In his report the engineer (Mr A. Tyndall) dealt with matters affecting the Otago district as follows:-—

Waitati-Merton Section.—A contract has been let for bituminous sealing of this seven mile and a-half 'section, and the work is nearly completed. Timaru-Queenstown, via Lindis Pass.— The black bridge over the Lindis River has been completed. Mosgiel-Henley Section.—The contract for bituminous concrete pavement has progressed satisfactorily, one and aquarter miles being ’completed during the month.

Lawrence to Beaumont.—The low-lying portion of this section near Docherty’s bridge has been raised. Dunedin-Portobello (Low Road). — During the month the following progress has been made on the formation work from 6m 48c to 9m 72c. Earthwork, 1965 cubic yards, making a total to date of 8265 cubic yards. Wall building: Twenty chains of new wall was Tiuilt, making a total of 60 chains, and 350 ft of culvert pipes laid, making a total of 858 ft. / —»