OTOKO HILL WORK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 29 February 1940, Page 4

OTOKO HILL WORK

NEARING COMPLETION READY BEFORE EASTER The last of the large cuttings and fillings in the new alignment on the Matawai side of Otoko Hill, on the Gisborne-Opotiki State highway, should be completed late this afternoon, and it is expected that the new route will be finished before Easter. A visit was paid to Otoko yesterday by the resident A.A. patrol, Mr. G. V. Merton, who- reported to-day that almost a mile of the new highway had been reconstructed and that all that section had been finished off and rolled. The gang had worked down from the top of the hill and was now approaching the bridge at the foot of the hill. Sliil Closed at Intervals The cuttings now being made were in shale and, even with heavy rain, no trouble was expected from clay, such as was the case when the job was being carried out on the higher levels. The route was still closed at intervals during the day to all traffic and during the hours of darkness for lorries. The times during the day when through traffic would be assured of being able to negotiate the hill were 7.30 a.m„ 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3.30 p.m., and 5 p.m. At night and during the week-ends tho road was always left open for private motorists. These restrictions would remain in force for another weak, but the patrol said that where possible the contractors were allowing motorists to go through at odd times at their own risk. The men on the job were always willing to meet the convenience of motorists if possible and no unnecessary hold-ups were experienced. If, however, a car became stuck on a section of the newly-formed road the driver would have to wait until near the opening time before the machinery would be available to free the vehicle.