EAST COAST LINE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1933, Page 28

EAST COAST LINE

COST OF COMPLETION

ENGINEER'S ESTIMATES

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) 6ISBOENE, December 15. A strong case in favour of the com: pletion of the Gisborne railway is made apparent by the report of Mr. O. G. Thornton, Public Works Department engineer, who by Government consent was employed by the local railway committee to prepare data and estimates in connection with the Waikokopu-tJis-borne section. This report, released today, intimates that the total cost of completion, ' including 10 per cent, for contingencies, is estimated at £1,046,013. The- Kopuawhara section (nearly 11 niil.es) is estimated to cost £253,063, and the main section (15 miles)] & 171,941,' bridges £ 58,707,- ballast, etc., | £34,196, and tunnels £33,970. Bridges on this section total 1580 feet. The AVharcrata section (9J miles) will cost £621,600, tunnels accounting for £44,076, grading £82,239, bridges £32,934, ballast, etc., £30,651. The Gisbome section, approximately 15 miles, will cost £171,941, bridges (£70,180) being- the main item, with ballast, etc., £42,613, next on tho list. Eighteen bridges are involved, of a total length of at least 2180 feet. rJ?i»e work completed to date includes the clearing of scrub and bush on tho major portion of the route, 1399 chains of fencing, 3741 feet of fencing numerous stream-diversion works controlling streams, 108 feet of sea wall, 481 chains of drains, 69 chains of deviation roads, 683 cubic yards of earthwork (actual formation of line), -preliminary bridge work, preliminary tunnelling, and a large quantity of other preliminary work. ' •