AFTER THE STORM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 December 1939, Page 8

AFTER THE STORM

RESTRICTIONS ON RIMUTAKA ROAD HIGHWAY CLOSED TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. COLLAPSE OF TE MARUA BRIDGE. The main road route from Wellington to the Wairarapa has been closed for heavy vehicles and for motor-cars at night because of the collapse of the Te Marita bridge over the Mangaroa River on Monday. The Taita Gorge also remains closed, but other main routes are open. The concrete Te Mania bridge having collapsed it was quite impassable, but between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. ears were being allowed across the Black Bridge, the wooden structure which carried the highway across the Mangaroa River before the concrete bridge was erected about eight years ago. The association had been advised by the Public Works Department that the department would rigidly enforce the rule that the bridge was not to be used getween 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. The reason for the rule was the condition of the old bridge, which drivers used at their own risk. Heavy vehicles making use of the bridge when traffic could not be supervised might cause damage tiiat would close the route entirely. The slips on the Rimutaka Hill had been cleared sufficiently to allow cars to pass, but care was needed. The Akatarawa Road, connecting Upper Hutt with Waikanae, would be closed until further notice, and the Moonshine Road connecting Trentham with Pahautanui was blocked. Normal limning was resumed today by service cars between Masterton and Wellington. It is now possible for the cars to run right through without the necessity of passengers having to be transhipped.

RAILWAY BLOCKAGE

SERIOUS DAMAGE ON HILL SECTION. Apart from work trains, no services

. wore operated between Cross Creek and Upper Hutt on the Wairarapa line yesterday, and it was stated last night that no indication could be given as to when the line would again be open for traffic. A series of slips and washouts on the Wellington side of the Rimutakas occurred during the height of the rain storm on Monday and caused serious damage to the permanent way. The major blockage is north of Mangaroa, where the approach to a bridge was completely washed away by flood waters. At this point the track is impassable, and sihea Monday all available men have been engaged in the task of repairing the line. Men were also working yesterday on a washout between. Kaitoke and Summit. where further damage occurred. | In the meantime a more or less nor-1 inal service is beihg maintained from Cross Creek northwards. As far as could be gauged at midday today, the Railway authorities said it was hoped to restore the railway line

over the Rimutaka Hill late tonight and to resume the normal running of trains between Masterton and Wellington tomorrow. NORMAL SERVICE TOMORROW. It was reported by the Railways Department this afternoon that the Wairarapa line will be in working operation by 5 p.m. One goods train is to run through tonight and the normal service will be resumed tomorrow. I

EROSION NEAR BELMONT RAILWAY LINE ENDANGERED. READJUSTMENT FOUND NECESSARY. WELLINGTON. This Day. Erosion by the Hutt River at a point just south of Belmont has endangered the main railway line and it is being shifted back eight, feet. The trouble started when the major flood had passed its height and the river was 'falling. The bank began to crumble at about 4 a.m.. the river taking a huge bite 20 yards across and six feet in, bringing the line three feet from a straight drop. Traffic was stopped, passengers on the seven o'clock train being transferred. By 11 a.m. the track had been shifted back three feet and trains were passing at ICss than a walking pace. The work in getting the track back is still proceeding.