WHIROKINO HIGHWAY DEVIATION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 41, 12 November 1936, Page 16

WHIROKINO HIGHWAY DEVIATION

Excellent Progress

LONG TRESTLE BRIDGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Dominion Special Service.

Foxton, November 11.

Excellent progress is being made with the deviation of the Whirokino section of the No. 1 main highway to make it safe and immune from flooding. Fiftyfive Foxton men are engaged on the job, under Mr. G. Maughan, while Mr. A. R. Acheson, of Palmerston North, carries out the duties of supervising engineer for the Public Works Department. Interviewed on the job by a ‘‘Dominion representative, Mr. Acheson said that he was very satisfied with the progress made so far, and the efforts of the men. Although it was difficult to make any definite statement at this juncture, he considered that the work to date had been carried out well within the estimates. Contrary to expectations, the work had not been hindered by water, even at the extreme end near the main drain, where the surrounding land is at river level. The chief trouble was the wind, which not only made conditions most unpleasant for the’ men, but carried a good deal of the spoil—mostly sand —about. This had necessitated the watering of the road filling as soon as it was dumped, but even so it would require rain every night to make any noticeable difference. As soon as the filling reached the requisite level it was blinded with the heavy top soil which had been removed from the road line and stacked on the side of the deviation ’before the commencement of the building-up work. This was then topped off with metal, which came from Palmerston North. It was probable that the work would occupy from eighteen months to two years. Whirokino Not “a Bottomless Pit.” There was nothing spectacular in the present work, the most interesting part of the job lying in the construction of the trestle bridge over the 57J chains from the main drain to the Manawatu River. The preliminary work in this connection had now been completed, and it was possible that tenders would be called for this work in the near future. In conjunction with the sinking of the test piles over this section bores had also been sunk to a depth of 75 feet before striking a light strata of shingle. With the exception of two piles, one each side of the river, the test piles had been sunk to a depth of 30 feet. Those either side of the river wert put down to a depth of 45 feet. After the peat had been pierced liquid black sand varying in coarseness according to the depth was encountered, and this, said Mr. Acheson, had no doubt led to the popular impression that the Whirokino was a bottomless pit, because a stick could be sunk out of sight in it. The construction of the trestle bridge over the area would pot present anv great difficulties, but most of the men engaged on the construction work would be men of experience in bridge building. Raising of Road Level. The road raising has been completed almost as far as No. 2 Line, the main gang of men being located between there and the ramp across the existing highway where the road sweeps in an easy curve to the main drain. . The sand for this section is being carted by trucks from Messrs. Ross, Rough and Co.’s property at the south end of Johnston Street. Water to lay the sand is being carried from Purcell Street in a large tank on a lorry. From the ramp across country the road line has been scarfed out of the green paddocks The highway has to be raised thirteen feet in this locality, but there is sufficient spoil handy in the several ridges which run east and west across the location. The top soil has been scooped off the greater part, of this section in readiness for the filling which is being carried out by a manual tram line. A handy turnstile made on the job by one of the men permits the distribution of the sand in two directions from the hill at present being levelled adjoining the main drain. Water is lying in the southern end of the last section, but not to a depth to hamper operations. A tram line has been built up over this low-lying stretch and the spoil is wheeled out and dumped into the hollow. Contrary to expectation very little timber was encountered in this area. At the northern end a number of human thigh and pelvis bones were unearthed, but no complete skeletons were uncovered. The spot was the location of an old Maori camping ground. The deviation is one of the biggest jobs that has been carried out in the Manawatu or surrounding districts, and when completed should constitute a monument to the modern road-makers. In any case it will serve a long-felt want in a safe and permanent highway and complete the link in the No. 1 main arterial highway be-' tween Wellington and Auckland. Foxton has, in particular, much to be thankful for in that this work was undertaken when it was.

The Foxton Borough Council has decided to contribute £5O and Foxton business people £25 to meet the Highway Board’s requirements in connection with further improvement work to the highway within the borough. The corner of Johnston and Union Streets is to be set back to give a gradual curve into Main Street. The work is estimated to cost £5OO, and has been approved by the Main Highways Board.