RAILWAY DEVIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 49, 28 February 1939, Page 6

RAILWAY DEVIATION

TURAKINA AND OKOIA STEEL SUPPLIES AFFECT PROGRESS OF WORK It will depend largely on how supplies of steel come to hand as to when the Turakina-Okoia railway deviation is finished. The task was begun two years ago and the estimate was that it would take three years. Judged on progress to date, however, it will take at least 18 months, probably two years before the line is ready for use. Approximately 290 men are working on the deviation.

There are to be two main bridges, one over the Wangaehu River, the other at Turakina. Steel for the spans and for reinforcement of the piers will be required and if the supply comes forward satisfactorily construction work will be pushed ahead as quickly as possible. Pile driving tests have been made. The Tunnels Steady progress has been made with tunnelling. There are to be three tunnels, two of fair length and one minor one. The longest tunnel pierces the ridge lying between the Turakina and Wangaehu Valleys. It is 104 chains long and there are 64 chains yet to be done. The Deniair tunnel is 72 chains long, and there are 18 chains yet to do. No work has been done on the smaller tunnel on the Wangaehu side of Fordell. This is to be three chains long. Formation work has been done for four miles from the Okoia end of the deviation to the Deniair tunnel, and the filling south of Deniair is almost finished. Formation work is in hand over the Wangaehu flat and work in readiness for the over-bridge, which is to cope with the roadway in the Wangaehu Valley, is well forward, the ramps having been raised considerably. Two Station Yards The earth work necessary in laying out the two station yards, one at Fordell and the other in the Wangaehu Valley, is almost finished. It is estimated that the tunnels and bridges will take another 15 months to complete, and the laying of the track by the Railway Department, after the Public Works Department hands over, will probably take another six months, so there are at least another 20 months’ work ahead before trains will be running over the new route.