Storm clean-up continues on Coast

Press, 18 March 1982, Page 2

Storm clean-up continues on Coast

PA .Wellington Road access to Fox Glacier was restored yesterday as the Ministry of'Works and Development repaired more of the damage caused by last week's heavy rain in South Westland. . A link with Haast was expected to be opened late yesterday although a Ministry spokesman warned that “extreme caution” would still be required by motorists on all the newly reopened stretches of highway. First priority has been given to providing some access to the isolated townships. More permanent repairs will follows. A weight restriction has been put on vehicles crossing the 50m Bailey bridge put up after the Waitangi-taona bridge was cut in the storm. A by-law passed by the National Roads Board yesterday also limits movements on the Bailey bridge to one vehicle at a time.

The weight restriction is 28,500 kg and the maximum allowable speed is 30 km/h. on the bridge. The maximum fine for infringing the by-law is $2OO. The Ministry’s chief highways engineer, Mr Evan Burt, said that State highway 6 had been “opened as a track.” "If there is any more rain it could wash out again,” Mr Burt said. Ministry engineers in Wellington expect to have a preliminary report next week on the Waitangi-taona bridge damage, says the Wellington reporter of “The Press.” Two spans of the bridge collapsed when floodwaters washed out one of its piers early last Friday morning. The Ministry’s Director of Reading, Mr T. C. Shadwell said the report would outline the repair work needed and estimate the cost. “I am reluctant to put any fiture on the cost yet without detailed knowledge,” he said. “The figure of $2 million plus quoted so far is only an educated guess.” Westland National Parks Board staff were yestereday restoring a walking track to the Franz Josef Glacier. About I.skm of access road was destroyed but no decision has yet been made on when it will be rebuilt. The track will, at least, allow visitors to walk up to the glacieri