RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 23147, 22 December 1938, Page 9

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

WORK IN OTAGO SAWYERS BAY DEVIATION For some time now work has been in progress clearing the portals at each cud of the new railway tunnel to bo driven through the hill at Roseneath, near Sawyers Bay. There are at present 113 men employed on the deviation, and the actual driving of the tunnel will bo commenced early in the new year, and completed in 1940. When completed the tunnel will be 16 chains in length. The Railway Department also has 45 men engaged on grade easement north of Clarendon. They will be transferred to the south side of Clarendon, where similar work will be put in hand on the completion of the present job. Grade and kerb easement is also being carried out at Bushey, north of Palmerston, where G 3 men are employed. In addition to these eight Fencing gangs are employed in the Dunedin district effecting repairs to fences adjoining railway lines. • Each gang is comprised of four men. OAMARU FORESHORE. The work at the Oamaru foreshore is progressing satisfactorily. Ten-ton concrete blocks are being made and placed in position, with heavy stone from the department’s quarries at Sawyers Bay and Enfield, and it is considered by the railway engineering staff that this will prevent tho erosion which lias taken place during storms in the past. TWO NEW BRIDGES. The Waitaki rail-road bridge is to be replaced by a concrete and steel bridge. This will be built on the down-stream side of the present bridge, and test piles have been sunk. At present the cylinders are approximately 42ft Gin below tho rail level, and_ it is hoped that a satisfactory bearing will be obtained with piles varying from 37ft to 42ft below the rail line. The contractor for the new Rakaia bridge is making excellent progress with tho foundations. When completed this will bo a railway bridge, and the Main Highways Board will construct its own bridge down-stream from tho present one. Both the railway and the road bridges will be of the latest design.