DAMAGE TO HIGHWAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1052, 16 August 1930, Page 11

DAMAGE TO HIGHWAY

GREAT SOUTH ROAD NOT WEARING WELL FAST, HEAVY TRAFFIC Under the &train of fast-moving heavy motor traffic, portions of the Great Soutn Road main highway are begininng to show distinct signs of wearing. Cracks and breaks are appearing in the concrete, and in many parts measures have had to be taken to prevent the trouble extending. Attempts have been made by several local bodies through whose districts the main highway passes to stay the damage by liberal coatings of bitumen on the affected parts, but despite these precautions it is being found that in many places the damage is spreading, the cracks in many places extending for the full width of the concrete strip. It is stated that one of the causes of the damage to parts of the road is the nature of the foundation. For

miles in some parts the foundations of the road were built up to form permanent levels, and in some of the cuttings it is said that springs have developed, which are now commencing to undermine the foundations, thus placing on the concrete the onus of carrying the full strain of the traffic load. It -is said that some of the local bodies are apprehensive that unless protective measures are not immediately adopted, difficulty and expense will have to be incurred by some of the local bodies concerned in making the road last out the full term of the loan.