HOMER TUNNEL

Grey River Argus, 22 November 1939, Page 4

HOMER TUNNEL

NEARING COMPLETION. DUNEDIN, November 20. Provided no unforeseen difficulties arise the bottom heading tunnel through the Homer saddle should be completed before the end of next February. This prediction was made to-day by the the District Public Works Engineer (Mr P. Keller), who said that at the present rate of progress the tunnellers should reach the far side of the solid rock early next year, and that the clearing away of the scree at the' western portal should be finished by about the middle of February. Three shifts, working continuously throughout the day and night, have enabled the contractors, A. F. Downer and Company, Wellington, to excavate the heading, which is actually a small tunnel, at an average rate of something more than 50 feet a week; but during the winter, because of the danger of avalanches, work was cut down to one daylight shift, with the men working under protection all the time. Full-time tunnelling was resumed nearly two months ago, and the 30 men working in the heading were completing more than 50 feet a week during October until a fresh inflow of water was This, however, will not materially affect the progress of the work. After the heading tunnel is completed, it will remain for the Public Works Department to undertake the enlargement of the tunnel to the full size to take a motor road, which is to connect Te Anau with Milford Sound. The full distance of this road will be just on 74 miles, with threequarters of a mile of tunnel.