Work Begins On New Taupo To Wairakei State Highway

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 44, 8 June 1965, Page 3

Work Begins On New Taupo To Wairakei State Highway

Work has begun on the £293,000 job of improving State Highway No. 1 between Taupo and Wairakei. The deviation to the west of the present road has been pegged out and sub-contrac-tors have started clearing operations from the Taupo end. It will start from just behind Taupo's new radio station, 1ZA, and join up with the present highway on the straight between the first green and second t-ee of the Wairakei golf course, almost

opposite the Wairakei HoteTs public bar. Oue of the first jobs will be to realign the junction of the Acacia Bay Road with the highway. This will be made higher up the hill from the control bridge over the Waikato River — -a distance of about six chains from the bridge. The turn-off to Acacia Bay will be raised about 16 feet to provide a junction which will have good visibility and be fully lit at nights.

It is proposed to landscape the present turn-off to Acacia Bay and it is possible that the back-water of the Waikato River there will be converted into a launching stage and marina for boats. The work proposed for on the new deviation was explained to members of the Taupo County Council by the county engineer, Mr G. B. Burton, when members of the Taupo County Council made an inspection of the northern part of the county on Tuesday. The new cut would go north from behind the new radio station. In the south, the Old Taupo Road would be realigned to join with the Poihipi Road just west of the latter's junction with the present highway. The old highway from the radio station would be maintained past Reid's Farm up to the .Huka Falls loop, which, he hoped, would be widened, and then go west to a junction with the new highway.

It was proposed to terminate the old highway at the turn-off to the new one, access to the D.S.I.R. establishment being provided further north along the new highway. Mr Burton pointed out, however, that it might be an advantage to close that stretch of the old highway between the two entrances giving access to the Huka Falls view loop. Some councillors thought it would be advisable to keep the old road open right through to Wairakei. Construction work above the control gates bridge will give an improved junction and crawler lanes will be provided on the highway.

There will be median islands to channel traffic for increased safety on this very busy section of the highway. Contractors have received instructions to complete this first length as soon as possible. It is the only part which will affect the existing highway, the balance of the fourmile deviation will be new work. It is hoped to complete the initial stage before the end of December. When completed, the deviation will be a 24ft. wide sealed carriageway with two 8ft. sealed parkway strips. A large sum of money has been set aside for picnic areas, general landscaping and the provision of trees and shrubs.