THE GREAT HIGHWAY.

Shannon News, 24 June 1924, Page 4

THE GREAT HIGHWAY.

HOKOWHENUA COMPLETE SCHEME. APPROVED BY HIGHWAtfS*BOARD. >,,. TO COST £159,000. AND BE COMPETED IN THREE YEARS. Below we publish the. complete report prepared by the County Engineer* Mr- W. N. Anderson, adopted by the,Horoby the»in Highways Board for th« construction of a.bitumenized highway from Waikanae to Tofcomaru. As*County ratepayers. wil];shortiy be approached tp ll sanction.a.loaii,for:£aQ;ooo-.half penditure—the-Highways Board-praviding the other hall, they-are invited to carefully study the proposals here set forth.

According to instructions received from the Council towards the cud of lust your touring down a .comprehensive report aud estimate on the cost oi' construction • of Main Highways through .the Horowhenua. County, also plant -required to."carry, out the work and the .necessity oi permanent metal bins and their locality, X .have to -report that I .have, gone'very carefully into thu mattor, and after completing my inspection .and eatimato' of cost, submit for your: ~approval the following: — / I.have gone carefully over the whole of the, from Waikanae to the ■ ,Wirokino Bridge,- and from the 'northern boundary of the Tokomaru .Ridings -(As there is still some doubt , in regard to the proposed alteration m - the site of' the Manawatu Bridge on the Shannon-Foxtou Road I am not submitting an-estimate for this section of roadj about H miles). The wholp lengths of roads mcutiou■ed are laid down in the ordinary water, ■bound macadam and are at present in fair order and compare favourably Avith any othor unsealed roads in the Dominion. At one time this class of road s'crvod its purpose well, but owing to the fast and hpavy motor traffic now, using the roads it is practically imto keep them in anything lila\ repair except "with a very heavy annual' expenditure. As the maintenance cost of the ordinary waterbound' macadam road is -'b'ecWing heavier year by year, as th« motor' traffic increases it is therefore t absolutely necessary to lay down a road surface suitable for modern traffic. . , •' This can easily be done and will cost the ratepayers less in tho fut f ure than. .this present homeless patching system, Svhicli is the dearest and a most unsatisfactory method of road construction. The present day average maintenance on water bound macadam roads is £l3O per nixie, but what will be tho cost in say five or six years when .the motor traffic will increase to a far gr«ater extent than it is at present. Taking mto consideration the increase of motor traffic in the past five years from different tallies obtained, recently .throughout | the Dominion and assuming a like in- I crease, in thp next five years, the main- | tenanco cost, based on our prcsont ex- ' penditure on main roads, will in such .period, advance approximately 100 per .cent. I would suggest that the Council lay down what is tormed a bituminous asphalt ,road using the • penetration method. In constructing this class of road the old metalled surface which is used as a foundation is only lightly ; sacrificed for tho purpose of obtaining a proper camber for the new surface, .n four-inch coat of clean crushed metal is .put,'.down> and,.rolled and the, .bituniian is then sprayed under pressure into the metal and covered with coarse, clean chips; The whole surf ace is then coated with bitumen and fine chips. The maintenance .cost-of-such a (road is approximately £2O per mile per,annum. The following arfc) '-particulars - which have been supplied to > me, showing, the \ very small cost of maintenance of' bitu- ! men roads laid down in different parts of the North Island. "The maintenance cost of a road laid in-1915 with union asphalt (pure bitumen) has been M of a pfcnny per square yard per annum and the traffic has-been heavy, being* one of the main • outlets from Auckland City. Victoria Street, Cambridge, laid in 1916, maintenance to dato nil. Another road which was put ' down in 1913 has been topdresscd once and is in first-class order to-day. Several portions laid down in 1916 -and- 1917 have cost nothing • for maintenance ; since and are in good order to-day." This goes to show that bitumen asphalt roads are now past the, experimental stage: They have used- bitumen for 1 r.oading in America for the last 20 yisars and arc still using it. '■ i In my estimates you will notice that my figures' are based on a road, the formation of which would be 24 feet wide and asphalt IS. feet wide and laid down as before,mentioned. Tbja estimated cost of the whole work i including machinery is £159,707. Aly machinery estimate £10,500 ; 'has been i based on the assumption that the: pro■p'osßd loan will be ■expended within a .period of three years. Re the erfceton of permanent metal ;bins I do notthink it would be advisable to erect same at any particular point in the County. Of course more up-to-date bins than are- in use at the present time will have to be, provided, but, these could bo constructed so that they could be shifted from place to place when necessary. ~-, The same applies .to the bitumen boilers. Should the Council decide to carry out-the proposed .scheme within three ! years the following sections—totalling 16 miles —eould be completed within the first year. Te Horo Riding.—To Horo township to Otaki Bridge, 2£ miles. Otald Riding.—Otaki Bridge to Jubilee Road, \ mile. Otaki railway crossing v to Taylor's gate, 1 mile. Matiakau, Bridge .: Aiv- Waiiawa Bridge* 3J miles.

SECTION 2. TE HORO TO OTAKI BRIDGE. This is a fairly easy section. The I road is somewhat irregular in grades ! and will require regradmg. at different points. The formation is the full width but the metal will require widening to IS feet. The two small bridges near intersection of Te Horo beach road are in, fair condition, ,■ beiug all Australian hardwood. As these two bridges are thi:'full width required, 18 feet, i have not allowed for new bridges, but have allowed for strengthening and improving same. The material for widening metal, 2000 cubic yards, can be obtained from Te Horo gravel pit, and Otaki River and the clean crushed metal and chips (3380 cubic yards) will bp obtained from crushed boulders or Otaki River."" This is a section whero work could be carried out at once and another tar-boiling depot would-be arranged"for in,this section near the. Otaki Bridge.

SECTION 3.—OTAKI BRIDGE TO JUBILEE ROAD.

Another fciasy section with gravel handy. I have made provision in my estimate f.or raising road from bridge for a distance of about 3 chains, also for twin 3b" inch culverts at this point. All material for widening add crushing, 1400 cubic yards, will be: available in the Otaki River. As the greater portion of this road is a boundary road, Otaki Borough should bear half cost. SECTION 4.—OTAKI RAILWAY. From the railway crossing to Taylor's gate the road is in good order. 'Practically no earthwork is required except trimming sides. The formation is practically full width but the mtital will require widening out to IS feet. From Taylor's gate to the Manukau bridge the road is more difficult and traverses hilly country. • One'of the main features in this section is the very bad tend just south of Mr. Geo. Bevan's house and I have allowed'in my estimate for a deviation at this point. Allowance is also made to take off two points just north of Mr. .Bevan's house and for straigthening the road on Simcox '.a hill.: Th,is can be greatly improved by taking off sonic of the points and ; depositing surplus material ov(3r the sides of the road. I

Approximately five acres of land will have to be acquired.. The total earthwork in this section is 11,000 cubic yards. Metal required for widening present metal, 3300 cubic yards, will bfc; available from County Pit und .clean metal and chips, 6100 cubic yards, from Waikawa and Otaki River or Wahohu Stream. It .was suggested by the Public Works Department that the Council take into consideration the question of a deviation from the Mouteiv hospital to a point on the hill north of the railway crossing', and thus do

Wirokino Riding—Waikawa Bridge to Kimberley Road, 4 niHws. Levin-East Boundary to Polls' Creek, '3% miles. Tokomaru Riding—Shannon Borough, north boundary lo Kara Greek, 1 mile. Tokomaru Bridge to School, .1 mile. Iu framing my estimates I have allowed for the straightening as much as possible of all bad bends. This is essential owing to the present day fast traffic. . . SECTION I—WAIKANAE TO TE, HORO. This section, commencing at the Waikanae River and ending at To Horo i Post ■ Office, has at present an average , formation width of 20 feet and meun .12 feet. The first portion of the road is through fairly good country for nearly two miles, but the next two -miles is through swampy land and .practically all filing. 'Tias necessitates a large amount of material being required for .widening, i Part, of this material can be obtained from cutting at 1 mile 40 chains peg. Also ;by easing grade at this point the balance will be got from ■{^proposed-'pit at' the - intersection of •Kraser/sSoad,-where'two acres of land will have--to be acquired'.'* * 'Eroni the * ! mile peg to Te Horo thy''material reI quired for widening' can be obtained I from cuttings and County pit,/re Horo. | The total amount of earthwork is '15,0U0 J cubic yards. The proposed pit at j Eraser's Road could also be used as a I tar-boiling depot. .Allowance is also made for the renewal of two small bridges. The material for widening, present metal to 18 feet and strengthening same would, also be obtained from Eraser's Road pit and Te, Horo gravel pit, and clean metal and chips would be obtained from Waikanae River and from crushed boulders at Tc Horo. Gravel required for widening existing metal 5000 cubic yards, and clean crushed metal and chips 9700 cubic yards.

awav with a dangerous crossing over, the'railway. As the first portion Qi : the proposed deviation is in the Otaki Borough and as an overhead bndgo and: roading to same would be very costly,, and also, as I do not consider the Tail■wav crossing very dangerous (as a clear view of the line can be obtained for a considerable distance) I have not allowed for this deviation in my estim-, ate. SECTION b._MANAKAU BRIDGE , TO WAIKAWA BRIDGE. This, is another fairly good section and practically no earthwork except widening and trimming in places is necessary. As a certain amount of ma-, terialwill be inquired to widen existing metal (1840 cubic yards) and as the clean metal and chips (3570 cubic yards) will-'have to be obtained from j the Waikawa Stream I have made allowance for the taking of a piece of. land just: south of the Waikawa Bridge. ■The taking of this land will not only give a supply of material required but will do away with a fairly bad corner of the road. I have made an allowance of £4OO for alterations to Manakau Bridge;' as this, bridge is not in bad order I do not think the Council would be justified in erecting a new structure at the present time, but this above amount will do what alterations are required at present —another section where permanent surfacing could be started almost any time. Allowance is made for a new bridge over the Waikawa Stream.

SECTION 6.— WAIKAWA BRIDGE TO KIMBERLEY ROAD.

Another good section that will require only trimming and widening of existing" metal to 18 feet (3200 cubic yards) The clean crushed metal and chips (3700 cubic yards) can be obtained from the Ohau River and Waikawa Stream, or boulders in the vicinity, and the, material for widening present, metal from pit at Waikawa Stream and pit on Muhunoa East Road. Allowance of £2OO is made for alterations to Kuku Bridge. This is another bridge -which is in fair repair and with a few alterations and strengthening should last for many .yjea.re.- This section is like the previous one. Permanent surfacing could be started any time. " «&' ■ SECTION 7. LEVIN BOROUGH

BOUNDARY (NORTH) TO WlßrtKINO BRIDGE.

This is rather an expensive section. The earthwork through (the Avenue is fairly heavy and again towards the far end material will have to be carted for a considerable distance to'widen formation. Another factor which adds to the cost is that approximately half the length of the road is through sand country, while still another factor has to be taken into consideration, and that is the long haulage of metal (an average haul of (3 miles). Several old box culverts through heavy fillings will have to be 'renewed (which will mean tunnelling) andother culverts will have to be extended. In this section again the Public Works Department suggests the consideration of a deviation from the Otarua Road straight through to the Wirokino Bridge. I have inspected the suggested route which passes through sand country, and althougli perhaps half a mile "shorter than the present road I do not think the cost of deviation would be justified. In my mind the present road is much preferable to breaking into new sand country. A bad bend exists on this part of the road but by acquiring a piece of land on this corner the road can be greatly improved, and as material is required for widening the road to the bridge a double purpose is ■ thus served. 8160 cubic yards of pit metal and 13,200 cubic yards clean, crushed metal and chips arte required for this section and .15.000 cubic yards earthwork. Crushed metal and chips will have to be carted from Ohau River.

SECTION B.— LEVIN BOROUGH BOUNDARY (EAST) TO POTTS'

CREEK.

Another fairly good section on which permanent paving could* be put down without much preliminary work. The only earthwork,will be the straightening out of bend at intersfcetion of Heatherlea East Road and the improving of grade at Mr. Glassford's gate. The width of road required can bo obtained where necessary by ploughing in sides of road. A new bridge is allowed for. 3000 cubic yards of pit metal and'sß2o cubic yards of clean metal and chips are wanted for this section. This material will be obtained from Levin pit and Oliau River. SECTION 9. CREES; (TO, \ NORTH BOUNDARY WIROKINO REDING. ■ This section is a fairly expensive one owing to the amount of earthwork and the long metal haulagte. It is proposed J;o straighten the bends as much as possible from the intersection of Potts' Road to the top of the Ihakara Hill, and from Law's gate to the north boundary of the Riding. To do this several pieces of land will have to bfc acojuirt'd and some fairly heavy earthwork will have to be put in hand. The earthwork quantities are 10,400 cubic yards. The metal for widening existing roadway, 3000 cubic yards, will be obtained from Levin and Shannon, and the clean crushed metal and chips, ,13-0 cubic yards, will come from the Ohau River.

SECTION 10.—NORTH BOUNDARY WIROKINO RIDING TO SOUTH BOUNDARY SHANNON BOROUGH. In this section the earthwork is again heavy, as also is the haulage of clean metal and chips. A bad bend exists just; north of the Wirokino boundary which could be greatly improved by the taking of a piece of land and deviating from the present road, at the north boundary Wirokino Riding and running in practically a straight line to the intersection of Buckley Road. .should the Council approve this an additional £I2OO will be required. TlifJ

the clean metal, and chips will have to come-from Ohau River. SECTION 11.—NORTH BOUNDARY SHANNON BOROUGH TO MAKERUA„STATION. Approximately two-thirds of the road in this section from Kara Creek, to Makerua Station runs through swampy country and at present the width of formation averages 20 feet. To widen this.portion approximately 7000 cubie yards of filling will have to be carted from the clay bluff at Makerua Station. The portion of this road from Shannon boundary to Kara Creek bridge is through*solid country and the formation is the required width. On this length permanent paving could lie put down daring the first year. Allowance is made for now bridges of the Otaura and Kara, Creeks and for alterations and strengthening of two bridges between Kiugstone Road and Makerua Station. _ ' ■

The metal (28S0 cubic yards) for widening, etc., existing metal can be obtained at Shannon gravel pit and clean crushed metal and chips (4650 cubic yards) would come from Tokomaru River. ' ,

SECTION 12.— MAKERUA STATION * TO NORTH BOUNDARY TOKOMARU RIDING. This is* the most costly section in the whole length of main roads. The amount of earthwork to be dealt with is approximately 17,000 cubic yards, a fair prportion of this being necessary for the improving of the big bend just north of Kihinau Road intersection. Alterations and repairs will be necessary on four small bridges and the Tokomaru Bridge and a number of culverts renewed and extended. Several pieces of land will have to bo acquired for the improvement of bends in the road, and a number of fillings will have to be raised where considerable shrinkage has taken placfc). for widening existing metal (6240 cubic yards) and clean crushed metal and chips (10,120 cubic yards) will be procurable' in the Tokomaru River. It , x may be necessary to acquire a further piece of land in the Tokomaru River for a gravel pit. - The attached is my estimated ?: cost of' laying down a -bituminous road under the penetration . system from Waikanae to Wirokino Bridge and from Levin to north boundary of (Tokomaru Riding. - ■.

THE PLANT REQUIRED. ■. The new plaiit required to carry out the work if the proposed loan is expended within a period of three years will be as follows, the total cost being £10,415: Two crushers, capacity, 100 cubic I yards per day. Two elevators. Two screens. • / Two electric motors to drive crushers. \ Roller (hoaw)Roller (Tandem). Scarifier (5 ton detached). Two lorries, each 4 ton tip complete. One lorry, 2-ton tip complete. One lorry, 1-ton tip complete. Tar sprayer. ■ Three scoops. Six huts. \ ]'X j Four team horses. Three drays. f :*, ■ •Harness (4 sets). Two road ploughs. < ' Rails and trucks Tar-boilers. T. ~ r ' ; SUMMARY OP MAIN ROAD ESTIMATES. TE HORO RIDING. Length. '. 8 miles 55 chains Total cost £23,594. Cost per mile £2693. OTAKI RIDING. Length 6 miles 70 "chains Total--cost £22,207. : Cost per mile £3230. WIROKINO RIDING. .Length 19 miles 70 chains .Total cost...'. £62,473. Cost per mile £3143. TOKOMARU RIDING* Length 10 miles 70 chains Total cost £39,732. Cost per mile £3768. j Estimated cost of construction I. .£148007 Estimated cost of machinery £IOSOO Alterations to bridges .... £I2OO / ; Estimated Grand Total £159,707 To be raised by County by way of loan, £BO,OOO.