MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 5, 1 October 1929, Page 17

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

SUBSIDIES ON TWO LARGE BRIDGES Two large and important hridges which require reconstruction were ueait with at the last meeting of the Main Highways Board, and the rate of subsidy to be paid by the board in case was determined. The first is the 11 itzherbert Bridge on the boundary of tfie Palmerston North Borough and the Kuiranga County on the highway between Palmerston and Levin. The boards subsidy in this case is to be on the basts of £2 for £1 on the cost of a two-way traffic bridge, together with 0 footbridge. The second case is the Waipukurau traffic bridge on the Napier-Wellington main highway, and in this case the board s subsidy will be £2 for £1 on expenditure up to £lO,OOO, and £3 for £1 on expenditure in excess of that amount, In connection with the reconstruction and paving of the Dunedin-Christchurch main highway, the board decided to authorise a commencement being made with preparatory work on a section of the highway in the Ashburton County. Northward of Christchurch on the Christchurch-Blenheim main highway, tpe board has decided to authorise the reconstruction in the Kaiapoi Borough to proceed.

Proposed Deviation Near Pio Pio. With a view to the improvement of the grades and alignment of the Auck-land-Wellington main highway between Pio Pio and Mahoenui, the board some time ago instructed that a survey be made of a proposed deviation via Ana and what is known as the Totoro Valley Road, The present route of the highway through the Mangaotaki Gorge is narrow and on account of the nature of the country through which it passes, the widening as well as the improvement of grade and alignment have always been looked upon as very costly undertakings. A survey of the proposed deviation via Aria to Totoro Valley, however, sho / ? n s its construction would cost about £BO,OOO. On account of the very substantial expenditure involved, the board has decided to have a detailed survey made to ascertain the cost of widening and improving the present road. Whatever route may ultimately be adopted, the expenditure involved will be such that the board is not likely, to'proceed with the work in the immediate future, but as improvements will have to be faced at some future date, it is considered advisable to obtain as much information as possible while the surveyors are on the ground.