NEW RAILWAY LINE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 178, 26 April 1938, Page 12

NEW RAILWAY LINE

Work On South Island

Main Trunk BRIDGES AND TUNNELS Good Progress With North Section Substantial progress is being made with the construction of the South Island Main Trunk Railway extension in the northern districts. Work is in hand over practically the whole route, a distance of 77 miles. The Minister of Public Works, Hou. R. Semple, stated last evening that the work bad been divided into two sections, the northern end extending from Wharanui to the Kahautara River, representing 47| miles, and the southern end. about 294 mjles from the Kahautara River to Parnassus. ,

"The section from Wharanui to. the Clarence River bridge is fast approaching completion, and it is anticipated that another five or six months will see the railhead at the Clarence bridge,” said Mr. Semple. “As far as the famous Blue Slip is concerned, the excavation for road and railway is practically completed. A considerable amount of draining is being carried out in order to prevent further subsidence. “The piers for the Clarence bridge are well in hand, and are expected to be completed in six months. The steel for the superstructure, consisting of 12 trusses, each 120 feet long, is being fabricated in the Railways' Department’s workshops. Below the site of the bridge the railway formation is almost complete for eight miles, and for <r similar distance the formation is at least 50 per cent, complete. This work is extremely heavy. The three principal tunnels at Okiwi Bay, Ohau Bluff and Half-Moon Bay are all manned and working three shifts daily, the latest labour-saving devices having been adopted.” The Minister said that the original surveys of the line passed some little distance away from the township of Kaikoura, but alternative routes had been surveyed with a view to bringing the new railway station close to the business area of the town. The final location was under consideration. It was anticipated, however, that the whole area from Kaikoura to the Kalian ta'r a River would be opened up shortly. “Much heavy work has yet to be done, including the completion of bridges and tunnels,” added the Miuiter, "but generally speaking the whole section of railway-between Wharanui and Parnassus is manned. The latest type of construction machinery is being used wherever possible, and engineers and workmen alike show determination to bring the whole section from the Amuri Bluff to Picton into full operation at the earliest possible date.”