HIGHWAY SEALING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22570, 25 February 1948, Page 6

HIGHWAY SEALING

JOB AT JVIURIWAI READY FOR PRIMING NO HANG-OVER LIKELY The impression that little is being done in this district to secure progress with the seasons’ sealing programme is not borne out by signs of activity on *he main south highway near Murhvai, where about six miles of the highway via Morere is being prepared for re-sealing. This section has been under reconstruction for some weeks, and at present about four miles is ready for the application of the priming coat of tar on which the final application of road oil and chips will be laid. The balance of two miles is being pushed on as fast as deliveries of material can ba arranged for, and there -s every probability that the programme in this area will be completed well oefor? the end of the construction season. Bitumen supplies for the whole job are Iving at the Murhvai railway station and tar for the priming coat is available in Gisborne as required. Deliveries of metal for the work nav been subject to handicaps, but it is expected that these will be overcome m time to have the work of sealing done on schedule. { Three courses ot metal are required in the process of laying a road to highways specifications, the bottom course being of sizeable stone to which 's added a layer of smaller metal ranging up to three-quarters of an inch in size and mixed with a proportion of clay for binding. On this layer is applied the tar priming, over which, to finish the job. is laid the bitumen or road-oil coat which is blinded with metal chips. In a successful job the greater proportion of the chips are driven into the surface of the road by traffic, and nelp to provide a good traction for motorvehicles. Availability of a spraying-plant will probably determine the rate of future progress with this section. There is only one such plant now located in I he" district and that has been taken over by the Cook County Council. The Works Department has arranged to secure the services of the plant as soon ns possible for its Muriwai job, on a hire basis.