Hot mtn road to beat ice problem?

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 436, 12 May 1992, Page 3

Hot mtn road to beat ice problem?

The idea of putting electric heating cables under the road at the hairpin on the Ohakune Mountain Road was brought up again at last week's Waimarino board meeting. Member Bill Peach, who first put the idea to

the board, asked if it had been studied. He was told the council engineers had looked at the idea but that there was no economic merit in it. "I spoke to the power board staff and they said it was practical to do it," said Mr Peach, who is

also on the King Country Energy board. The idea was to place the cables under the road to stop the area icing up in the ski season. The hairpin is shaded, and steep, and when ice formed it often was the major bottle-neck on the

mountain road for skiers trying to get to Turoa, said Bruce Thompson. "It's the main headache for the ski field on the road." Mr Peach said he would be surprised if the ski field would not contribute to the costs.

It was thought it would be too late for the 1992 ski season but that the idea be investigated further for next year. Mr Houston said he was ask the roading engineer to comment on the idea for the next

meeting. Tenders had been called for the traffic control of the Ohakune Mountain Road, said Mr Houston. Turoa Ski Resort Ltd took on the contract to control the road last year.

Mr Houston told the Bulletin there was no problem with the way Turoa had carried out the contract last year, and that it was a competitive situation. He said three tenders were received last year.