MAIN HIGHWAYS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 155, 27 March 1926, Page 24

MAIN HIGHWAYS

ACTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY The usual monthly meeting of the Main Highways Board on Thursday and Friday was presided over by Mr. 1. W Furkcrt. A suggestion for the declaration of the Foxton Beach road as a main highway was declined. At the conclusion of the business members exgood wishes to the chairman pa connection with his proposed tour abroad. _ The following report shows sonic of the more important works carried out during February:—“Napier-Wellington, via Wairarapa.—Hawke’s Bay County section. The construction ot one mile of concrete road immediately south of the Napier Borough boundary is in hand, a length of 450 feet haying been placed during the month. Ihe work on the Whakaratapu deviation is now well in hand, three co-operative parties being employed. The water drive at Piri Piri has been driven and concreting is in hand. The approaches to the Tamaki stream bridge are now almost complete. The widening of the section between Oringi and Papatawa is tn hand Napier-Omahu.—The approaches to the Mill Stream bridge have been formed Preparations are being made to surface treat the Taradale Town Board section of the main highway with bitumen. Auckland-Wellington, via Taranaki.—Mokau to Mahocnui section: The retaining wall, 133 ft. long, of an average height of 16ft., has been completed at 8 miles 51 chains. Another retaining wall at 8 miles 60 chains is in hand. Mokau-Pukearuhe section: The first coat of asphaltic road oil has been applied for a total length of over one mile, and a second coat of bitumen has been applied over a, length of approximately li miles. A further threequarter mile is ready for sealing. Between 47-mile and 49-mile 89 chains of bituminous macadam have been completed. Mokau Bridge: The pile-driv-ing for piers 1,2, 3, and 4 has been completed. The abutment wall for pier 1 has also been completed. _ Work on the construction of the cylinders and pier tops is in hand. A large number of steel girders have been delivered on the job. On the Taranaki County section from Lepperton Junction southwards, 100 chains of bituminous wearing course have been completed. On the Ingle-wood County section between Maketawa and Rugby 26 chains _of foundation course and 51 chains of bituminous wearing course have been laid. Between Rugby Road and Tariki 126 chains of foundation course have been laid. Patea County section: The deviation near Waverley racecourse is well on towards completion. The final sealing coat has been applied to the Patea Hill, and on the length from 1 to 2mile. New Plymouth-Kaimata, via Inglewood.—The construction of Ngatoro stream bridge is ■in hand. Lepperton Junction-Hawera, via Opunake.—On the TJgmont County section 49 chains of foundation and bituminous wearing course have been completed between Ngariki Road and Oaoiti Road;. 45 chains of foundation and bituminous wearing course have also been completed between Opua Road and Opunake town boundary. Eltham-Opunake.—The construction of the Mangahume culvert is almost completed. Ohura Highway. —On the Whangamomona County section 13 chains of metal have been comoleted. Bulls-Tauraarunui.—Between Karioi and Rangataua 25 chains of metalling have been completed. Rangititau East and Watershed Road.—2l chains of metalling have been completed between Junction Road and Bruce's Road. Wanganui-Horopito.—3o chains of widening between 01-mile and 54mile have been completed; 5 chains of metalling at mile 40 have been completedfi .and the materials for the construction of the Upokongaro stream bridge are being delivered on the site. Blenheim-Christchurch.—Clarence River bridge: The protective works at the north abutment are now completed. The construction of further groynes is in hand. Richmond-Collingwood. — The construction of Saddle Creek bridge and Washaway Creek bridge is in hand. Blenheim-Nelson.—The struction of Frenchman’s Creek culvert js well in hand. Inangahua River bridge: Two girders have been erected and"the transoms placed in position. Bens Creek bridge: A temporary bridge has been erected and construction of the new bridge has been commenced. Christchurch-Blenheim, via Parnassus. —Hapuku River bridge: 321 cubic yards of boulders have been carted and placed in gabion net protective works. The construction of the embankment on the southern approach is in hand, 1700 cubic yards of filling having been placed during the month. The tiou of Harnett’s Creek bridge is in hand.