NEARING THE END

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 6

NEARING THE END

THE HOMER TUNNEL ROOK PIERCING COMPLETED THIS WEEI Daylight will shortly filter through the entire length of the Homer Tunnel which is being pierced to provide * highway from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound. Within the next few days the solid rook of the Saddle will have been penetrated. There will be a considerable amount of loose scree to bo removed, after which the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple)' will fire the last shot enabling access to be gained to the Milford end. Thi* ceremony, however, is not likely to take place for a week or two yet, and no date has been set aside. Following the piercing of the tunnel there will remain to be carried out the enlargement of the tunnel to, the full size necessary to take the motor road which is to be built through it. The time when this will be completed depends on the amount of work goti through during the winter months, for the avalanche danger must be closely watched. Drainage will run towards the Milford end, and there spoil from the enlargement of the tunnel will be deposited. As the engineers have, almost’ no experience of winter conditions in that area, it is not yet possible to determine the amount of work which may be done there during the period Nevetheless the estimate made by Mr Semple when he last visited the tunnel —that the road would be ready for use within a year after the actual piercing of the tunnel, should he fulfilled.