HOMER TUNNEL WORK

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 204, 26 May 1938, Page 10

HOMER TUNNEL WORK

Absence Of Snow Permits Continuation

PROGRESS OF HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, May 25. The continued absence of snow in the Hollyford district has made it possible for work at the Homer Tunnel to be continued without interruption, and no date has yet been fixed for the withdrawal of workmen because of the danger of avalanches. No snowfall has yet been reported from the district this winter, but it is expected that immediately after the first fall of any magnitude the men will be withdrawn. Last year heavy falls occurred during March and the avalanche which caused the loss'' of two lives occurred on May 4, during a snowfall which buried the valley to a depth of about four feet.

Good progress has beeu made with the heading drive of the tunnel, which has now been pierced for a distance of 20 chains, one third of the total distance.

On the Milford section of. the Milford Sound highway work is proceeding steadily and the last two of the major bridges have been completed over the Donne and Gulliver rivers. During the winter months it is expected that about 750 men will be working on the western section, and it is likely that some of the men at present working in the Hollyford district will be transferred to Milford.