Upgrading planned for local roads

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 7, 17 July 1984, Page 10

Upgrading planned for local roads

A 60-kilometre section of road stretching south from Raetihi and an intersection 2km east of Raetihi are both expected to receive the attention of the National Roads Board. In a recommendation forwarded to the National Roads Board by the No. 8 (Wanganui) District Roads Council, the Parapara Road (SH4) south from Raetihi to the Parihauhau Road intersection (south of Aberfeldy) will be upgraded and the intersection of the Pakahi Road with the Ohakune/ Raetihi Road (SH49) will be improved. With the exception of this 60km stretch of road south of Raetihi, State Highway 4 is rated as a Class 1 road between Wanganui and just

south of Te Kuiti where it joins SH3. This 60km section of the Parapara is rated as a Class 2 road. The No. 8 (Wanganui) District Roads Council want the entire length of State Highway 4 to be reclassified as a Class 1 road but in order to achieve this, the 60km section south of Raetihi must be upgraded. A recommendation to this effect will be forwarded to the National Roads Board.

The Pakahi Road intersection 2km east of Raetihi has been described as unpleasant and potentially dangerous particularly to those seasonal visitors to the Waimarino (such as skiers from Wanganui and Taranaki) who were unfamiliar with this stretch of road. The problem of this intersection originated with the abandonment of the former Raetihi-Ohakune Junction railway line. When the railway operated,

the Pakahi Road was carried on a small overbridge but it now joins SH49 at an acute angle at a point where a bank of earth obscures the vision of motorists. The No. 8 (Wanganui) District Roads Council adopted a proposal to reconstruct the highway at this intersection at an estimated cost ,of $185,000. This proposal will also be forwarded to the National Roads Board.