ROAD WORKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 40, 10 May 1927, Page 11

ROAD WORKS

VARIOUS DEVIATIONS

CHANGE AT MAMAKU BUSH

Three deviations of considerable interest to Auckland motorists are at present in hand southwards. One each of two of them are at the north and south of Pokeno respectively, and the other is in the Mamaku bush. North of Pokeno is the longer .deviation, and there are at present some 55 unemployed working on this section, which has as its main object the cutting out of the two very steep hills which present some difficulty and danger at the present time. It is expected that the formation work will be completed this winter. The deviation south of Pokeno has been completed with the exception of the junction with the old road, at the southern end. Next summer both these deviations will be complete as far as the formation is concerned, and they will probably be thrown open to traffic. When they will be metalled is, however, quite another question. The Highway Board estimates have not yet been considered, and will probably be announced about July, but in view of the heavy demands in the Auckland district for the coming year, it is doubtful whether funds will be available for the metalling of these two deviations, in preparation for the coming summer. The Highways Board is inclined to give preference to metalling those sections of road which present gaps in the main thoroughfares, instead of spending money on deviations where there is already a good metal surface, even if the road with the metal proceeds over more or less difficult country. MAMAKU BUSH A number of unemployed have recently been put on a new deviation work in the Mamaku bush section. This deviation is to cover four miles immediately south of Tapapa junction. The existing road is in the bottom of a valley, and has constantly caused trouble in wet weather by scouring out. The new road will be in higher country, and on the completion of the work will be immediately metalled with shingle from the Waimakariri stream.