MAIN HIGHWAYS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 279, 9 November 1931, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS

HAWKE’S BAY COUNTY WORK FOR THE MONTH. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Work carried out on the various highways in the Hawke’s Bay County during the past month was reported upon by the engineer, Mr. R. Pufflett, at to-day’s meeting of the Hawke’s Bay County Council as follows:— Napier-Gisborne (16 miles): On the section adjacent to the Napier borough boundary general surface work was done, potholes were filled in and loose metal raked in from the roadside. Further filling and metalling was done on the Embankment, and grading of the broken sections on the WestshorePetane section was carried out. Watertables and culverts on the PetaneEskdale river section were cleaned, and minor metal patching done where required. Grading was also carried out on this portion of the highway. The Public Works Department is making satisfactory progress with the reconditioning of the Esk river bridge, where a new reinforced concrete bridge is being built to replace the bridge damaged by the earthquake. Grading and general surface work was done on the Esk river-lagoon section. The metal repn'rs to the section between the lagoon and Te Ngaru crossing are almost completed, and the whole length was graded. Water-tables were cleaned and culverts attended to.

Petane-Taupo (28 miles): Grading and general surface work were done on the Petane-Dilion's Hill section, watertables were cleaned and culverts attended to. Overhanging vegetation obstructing view of the load was cut back. The Dillon’s Hill-Pohue Section was graded and general surface work carried out. Culverts and water-tables on the Pohue-Titiokura section were cleaned and grading carried out. One new 121 US. concrete pipe culvert was put in on the Esk Valley section to replace an old broken timber structure.

Napier-Wellington (29J miles): Asphalt repairs were done to tho bituminous concrete pavement between Awatoto and Waitangi, and seal repairs were carried out at the Washout; the portion on this section damaged by the earthquake was regraded and received the first coat of bitumen; the second coat will be applied as soon as possible. The approaches to the overflow bridge also received attention. Grading was done on the FarndonPakowhai section, and bituminous repairs were carried out to the approaches of the Pakowhai bridge. Grading was carried out between the Pakowhai’ bridge and the bituminous pavement. Asphalt repairs were carried out to the sealed surface between Richmond road and the aerodrome, and the new filling near Irongate where the pavement was damaged by the earthquake, was sealed with the first coat of bitumen and will receive a second coat shortly. The road drain between Stortford Lodge and Irongate was cleaned out and the spoil carried away. Satisfactory progress is being made with the formation and metalling of the new road alignment between the aerodrome and Paki Paki; approximately 120 chains are now completed. This work is being carried out under the No. 5 Scheme for relief to the unemployed. A sharp cornn- near the limeworks at Paki Paki was cut back and the spoil used for making up corners etc. on the n6w road alignment. On the Paki PakiPukehou section partial repail's were carried out to the sealed pavement, land further work will be done on this length next month. Grading was done on the Te Aute, deviation and loose metal raked in.

PROGRESS WITH HAA’ELOCK BRIDGE.

Napicr-Omahu-Tuki Tuki (19 miles): General surface work was done on the Napiet-Taradale section, bridge approaches were surfaced and the shoulders of the asphalt pavement were made up. The Redclyffe bridge approaches were also surfaced. Plans and specifications are being prepared for a reinforced concrete and steel bridge at this point to replace the old timber structure damaged by the earthquake, adn these will be submitted to the Main Highways Board shortly for approval. Grading was done on the Redclyffe-Omahu section. Between Omahu and Stortford Lodge grading was carried out, and partial bituminous repairs were done to the sealed pavement near Stortford Lodge. Further repairs will be carried out on this section immediately. Good progress is being made with the construction of the new reinforced and steel bridge over the old Ngaruroro stream near Havelock North. The piers are completed and the rolled steel joists placed in position in readiness for the deck slab. Grading was done on the Have-lock-Tuki Tuki section and watertables and culverts cleaned.

Taradale-Rissington (13 miles): General surface work was done on the Taradale-Hakowhai section, culverts were cleaned and water-tables attended to. The bridge approaches were surfaced and grading carried out. The Apley road section was graded and general surface work done. Where obstructing view of roadway, vegetation was cut back. Grading was done on tho Apley-Rissington, section and water-tables and culverts cleaned.

Farndon-Hastings (5 miles): Minor asphalt repairs were carried out on the bituminous pavement. Bridge approaches were surfaced. The Karamu dip was scarified to remove potholes, and loose metal graded in from sides. Tuki Tuki-Elsethorpe (15 miles): ral surface work was done on this highway, water-tables were cleaned and culverts received attention. Bridge approaches were surfaced. Several sharp corners were cut back and the spoil used for filling in narrow bends where the road was widened and superrelevated. This work was done .under the No. 5 Scheme for relief work. Minor metal patching was done where required.

Hastings-Maraekakaho (9 miles) : Grading was carried out for the whole length of this highway, and in places scarified to remove potholes. The loose metal at sides was brought in and general surface work done. Watertables and culverts were cleaned. Fernhill-Takapau (15 miles): General surface work was done, and watertables and culverts received attention, Where view of road was obstructed, overhanging vegetation was cut back. The water crossings were surfaced and large stones were removed from bed of stream. Arrangements are in hand or metal repairs to be carried out on portion <i this highway. Mangateretere-llaveloek North (2 miles).—Grading was carried out or

the whole length of this section and general surface work done. Watertables and culverts were cleaned and lareg stones removed from running surface.

Hastings-Paki Paki (4J miles).: Scarifying was done in place sto remove potholes and the whole length graded. The improvements to the road alignment connecting this section with the Napier-Wellington main highway is progressing satisfactorily. The fencing was completed and the formation and metalling was begun, and will be continued as soon as the Aerodrome section is finished. . Mangateretere-Te Awanga (7 J miles): Grading was done on this highway and general surface work carried out. Road drains were cleaned and culverts received attention. Asphalt repairs were done to the sealed pavement near the Tuki Tuki river bridge. Petane-Eskdale (2| miles): General surface work was carried out on this section—water-tables were cleaned and culverts received attention. The whole of this highway was graded and loose metal brought in from sides. Rocks on roadside were removed. Tuki Tuki-Waimarama (12 miles): Grading was carried out and places scarified to remove potholes, loose shingle wa sraked in and general surface work done. Culverts and watertables were cleaned. On the section near Field’s where the road slipped away a timber retaining wall was built and the necessary filling made and metalled. Vegetation overhanging on roadway was cut back.