CENTRAL ROADS

Evening Star, Issue 23728, 8 November 1940, Page 4

CENTRAL ROADS

MANY STILL IN BAD SHAPE FLOOD DAMAGE ESTIMATED OVER £5,000 Damage caused to State highways in Central Otago as a result of the flood rains experienced at Labour Day week-end is estimated at approximately £5,000, according to advice received by the Automobile Association (Otago). This does not take into account damage done to subsidiary roads, upkeep of which devolves upon the county councils, so that the total extent of damage must run into a considerable amount. ,

The Public Winks Department has a good deal of repair work ahead of it, and it is likely to be some time before it is all completed. The big slip which occurred in tho Kawarau Gorge will probably take many weeks to repair, as portion of tho road and the bank beneath sloping to the river have been completely washed out. It is a major undertaking to build up this section of the road, and, in tho meantime, in order to make the passageway at this juncture reasonably safe, a section of the hill is being cut into, and tho road extended to its full width. This will be only a temporary measure, holding good until such time as the slip is built up. Caro must be exercised in negotiating this section of tho road. Conditions on the Crown Range arc bad, and there is hardly a bridge between Cardrona ami Wanaka which has not suffered in some way, while the road has been badly scoured in many places. Tho Skippers road is also in particularly bad state, and a good deal of repair work is necessary. In the meantime none but experienced drivers should attempt to use either road.