REPAIRS TO ROADS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 141, 9 March 1940, Page 8

REPAIRS TO ROADS

Restoration Of Flood Damage REVIEW BY MINISTER 'The progress made with the restoration of highways and roads damaged by the recent Hoods was reviewed by tlie Minister of Public Works, Mr. Semple. He said that one-way trallic had been opened up on all main highways in the Taranaki, Wanganui and Stratford districts, with the exception of the Wanganui River Road and the Stratford-Ohura road. The further widening and general consolidation was being very much improved da.ly. “'The Wanganui River Road is badly blocked owing to the washing our. of several bridge approaches and slips generally,” said Mr. Semple. It is anticipated that it will bo several weeks before this trallic can bo restored, but the river services are operating and no one is isolated, and cream, goods, etc., can be got out. “The Stratford-Taumarunui mam highway is open from Stratford to the Moki tunnel at one end, and from Taumarunui to Te Claire at the other end. 'The Tangarakau Gorge is, however, badly blocked, and it is ditiicult to state just wlien this will be open, as we can only work a limited number of men on it, due to the fact that we have diverted a number of men to assist the Railwavs Department in opening up the Stratford-Taumarunui railway. No Settlers Isolated. “No settlers are isolated ou this length, and it was felt that the opening of the railway was of more importance than the highway, as there are alternative routes available between Stratford and Ohura. "The Wanganui-Raetihi main highway via Parapara escaped serious damage, and owing to the fact that a dulldoz.er patrolled the worst places during the storm and. shlfte’d various incipient slips, it was blocked only for a very limited period. “As far as the county roads are concerned, it can be said that with, the exception of portion of the OhuraTongaporutu in the Okau Valley and the Mohakatina Road, practically all settlers are able to get their cream out.. “In the 'Whangamoraona County the department has assisted to open up the Whitianga Road, in order to give an outlet to the only dairy-farmers who were isolated, and have taken similar action between Tahora and Tangarakau Flat, where the blockage of both railway and road placed the settlers in a serious position. In the Clifton County the condition of the Okau Road is serious, and we have diverted one of our machines from the main highway to assist the county council in giving relief to the settlers in this area.

“The Moliawatine Road, also in the Clifton County, is very severely damaged, and it lias not been possible so far to do much here, but tlie settlers have an alternative bridle track outlet.

“Details of tlie damage to county roads throughout tlie area will be to band very shortly, but it will be understood that, both the department and the counties have concentrated on getting on with the job of restoring access and giving relief at tlie earliest possible date, and tlie preparation of lists of damage and detailed cost figures has had to take second place.” Situation on West Coast. Referring to the position on the West Coast of the South Island, Mr. Semple said that all roads were now open with the exception of the Teramakau bridge at Kumara and Malfroy’s bridge at Arahura. This latter bridge gave access to the Arahura dredge, and tlie county had put a cage across to restore access to workmen. Arthur’s Pass road over the gorge between Otira and Arthur’s Pass was still blocked, and though men and machinery were engaged clearing away slips it was not possible at present to state exactly when it would be open.

The Reefton-Lewis Pass Road, which was blocked at the Springs Junction, was cleared the following day, and the road from Springs Junction to Matakltaki, which, was blocked, for several days, was opened last Monday. Minor damage occurred on county roads, slips and washouts to bridge approaches, but temporary access bad been provided in all cases.

At Barrytown the Beach Road was in a precarious condition, and though usable with care was liable to be washed out at any time if heavy weather eventuated. Arrangements had therefore been made to put in a temporary road to connect witli the completed" portion of the deviation, and this would be available in a fortnight.