LOWER AWAKINO VALLEY ROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1922, Page 6

LOWER AWAKINO VALLEY ROAD.

ANOTHER STEAM SHOVEL TO BE USED. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce has been advised by the Minister for Public Works ('Hon. J. G. Coates) that a second steam shovel of a more suitable character than the present ohe, and e.quipped with caterpillar attachment, is to be put on the Lower Awakino Valley road in January in order to expedite the work. Already a steam shovel is at work, but it is .of an old type and only useful in Soft formation. All the formation work is now done or hns been left to gangs. A further 97 chains of bridle track requires to be widened, whilst several miles also require to be widened from 12ft. to 18ft. The steam shovels will be employed on this work, for which they are eminently suitable. Given fine weather and with the present staff (about 80 men) the formation work should be finished by the end of the present season. Metalling will be proceeded, with along this line next \year, and it is expected that the road, which is about 15 miles in length, will be open to through traffic by the end of March, 19'23. The completion of the road will give all the year communication between Auckland and Taranaki, and cut out the Taumatamaire hill, which is practically impassable for wheeled traffic for the greater part of the year.