HIGHWAY WORK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22313, 24 April 1947, Page 3

HIGHWAY WORK

TWO SHORTAGES LABOUR & MATERIALS impeding factors (P.A.) NAPIER, April 23. Because of a lack of man-power and materials, it is not likely that major highway reconstruction in the Dominion will be undertaken for several years. This was revealed in a circular by the Main Highways Board received at yesterday's meeting of the Automobile Association (Hawke's Bay). "Many reading authorities are much too optimistic as to when a highway will be reconstructed to modern standards." stated the circular. "In considering this question, lack of plant and man-power must be borne in mind. "Present indications are that the immediate future holds little prospect of improvement in cither the plant or man-power position.’ The circular continues: "In so far as highways work is concerned, the board’s* representatives must therefore assume that there will be no appreciable increase in the rate of highway construction during the next few years. This means that highway realignment which the board would wish completed at an early date, will have to wait for a much longer period before being brought up to modern standards. As a consequence of this position. numerous roads will not be realigned for much more than five years. Such roads, if carrying any appreciable volume of traffic, should receive a seal coat almost as they stand. Small imorovements which can be quickly made, perhaps with a bulldozer and grader, may be justified.’ The circular said that highways through villages and towns should be sealed without delay. While the board was anxious that there should be a maximum extension of now scaling, jt was pointed out that in preoaring estimates it must be assumed that the available sealing facilities for next summer would be a little greater than at present. "All speed and energy should be devoted to the preparation of proposals and the letting of contracts,” stated the circular.