EARTHWORKS AT MANGERE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29384, 10 December 1960, Page 14

EARTHWORKS AT MANGERE

Five Million Yards For Runways

(New Zealand Press Association, AUCKLAND, December 9.

More than five million cubic yards of earth will have to be moved to form jhe main runway and its over-runs at each end for the Auckland international airport at Mangere, members of the airport committee -were told today. With their technical advisers, the members of the committee were shown over the project by the district commissioner of works (Mr I. W. McKinnon) and the project engineer for the Ministry of Works (Mr E. A. Flynn). The earthworks for the two miles of formation would take three summers, Mr Flynn said, but the erection of the airport buildings would begin as soon as excavations were finished. There was no chance of the runway being finished and ready for use before the terminals. The committee watched more than 10 earthmoving machines working and was told that the number would be increased to about 40 early in January Tenders are being called immediately. A third of the plant already engaged is privately owned and the remainder belongs to the Ministry of Works. Mr McKinnon said the airport would be virually fog-free because the prevailing wind from the south-west blew 'up the Manukau harbour.