FATE OF HOMER TUNNEL

Grey River Argus, 2 June 1937, Page 5

FATE OF HOMER TUNNEL

DUNEDIN VIEW West Coast Route Question (Per (Press Association). DUNEDIN, June 1. The recenlt cessation of work at the Homer Tunnel and the transfer of the men has given rise to some speculation whether the undertaking will ever be completed, or whether it would not be desirable to seek an alternative route to Milford SoundA further alternative put forward is that work should be started from the. West. Coast side of the tunnel, thus, giving better facilities for draining the water away- and making the haulage of debris easier than is possible up the present grade of one in ten.

It is two years since work was begun on ithe tunnely and the magnitude of the unexpected problems that have had to be faced can be gauged from the fact that it was originally estimated that the project would be completed in 27 months. With 24 of the 27 months already’ gone, the tunnel has been driven no more, than 500 feet of a total distance of 3960 feet, or approximately three-quarters of a mile.

While Milford ‘Sound Road is of par. tlcular interest to Otag o and Southland, it lhas a general interest for the whole Dominion, inasmuch as the taxpayers as a whole must boar the cost. Th c original estimate of the cost of the road was about £225,000, which included £70,000 for the tunnel, but it is possible that the latter figure has been already’ exceeded. In view of thp whole situation, it would appear to be advantageous that a full inquiry should be made into the scheme, and that a report should be furnished' to the "Minister of Publ e Works, which could be released for the enlightenment of the taxpayer. Should the Government intend embark, ing on any alternative proposal, the country is entitled to be similarly in. formed and given some idea of the cost anti duration of thp work.