TURAKINA RAILWAY DEVIATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 118, 12 February 1940, Page 5

TURAKINA RAILWAY DEVIATION

Work' Proceeding Steadily (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WANGANUI, February 10. Work is proceeding steadily on the Okoia:Turakina railway deviation, which will shorten the route by four miles, straighten tlie line and eliminate grades between Palmerston North and Wanganui- <■ The Deniair tunnel, Jhree-qiiarters of a mile long, has been pierced and the 'l’lirakina tunnel.’ a mile and a quarter long, is expeeled to be finished by April. The total deviation is 10 miles long. The new line will leave the present line nenr Turnkina, and after crossing tlie Turakina and Wangaeliu Rivers and tlie Wangachu VaJlcy will . rejoin tlie existing line about a mile and a half south of Okoia. The work, which was begun in 1936, is estimated to cost more (linn £500.000. At Turakina 110 men are working. The Denl.'iir complement, which at one singe was 300. has dwindled to 42 following tlie finishing of the tunnel. Tiie express train time-table between Turakina and Aramoho. which at present sdiows a running time of nearly an hour, should be shortened by nt least half an hour through the elimination of steep grades. Based on Present traffic, a saving of between £4OOO nnd £5OOO a year ,should| result in haulage costs on the line.