ROAD IMPROVEMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 124, 11 May 1935, Page 5

ROAD IMPROVEMENT

H.B. REQUIREMENTS Main Highways Board Visit REPRESENTATIONS MADE A large agenda paper covering many items was traversed by members of the Main Highways Board at Napier this morning in about an hour. Several important subjects were touched upon, including the Napier-Taihape highway, the Na-pier-Taupo highway, bridge construction and other matters, and the party then left for Gisborne at U o'clock. The county chairman, Mr. F. B. Logan, was in the chair. The personnel of the party was.as follows Messrs. C. J. McKenzie, chief engineer of the Public Works Department and chairman of the boaid, cf. W. Albertson, engineer to the board, G. W. Knapp, secretary, Mr. 11. Wynyard, W. Morrison, C. J. Talbot, E. J. Greensmith, and J. Wood. Crs. C. 0. Smith, W. Tucker, S. Bennet and R. Harding were in attendance, as well as local officers of the Public Works and Main Highways De* I artments. Messrs. J. H. Edmundson aud R. M. Chadwick (Automobile Association) and Haskell Anderson (Napier Chamber of Commerce) were also in attendance.

Mr. Logan asked the board whether it would be prepared to subsidise the extension of highways to 20 feet in width, and whether this was the universal width throughout the Dominion, it was felt that on highways such as that between Napier and Hastings, the width should be extended to 22 feet. The Hastings-Havelock North road was particularly dangerous at night, because of foot, cycle rnd horse traffic. He pointed out that aheady there were proposals for a width of 24 feet on this section. HELP WHEN WARRANTED. In reply, Mr. McKenzie said that where the traffic warranted it, the board would help with such extensions. Mr. Logan asked whether the board would be prepared to purchase metal quarries for future construction. Each case would be considered according to its merits, was the reply. Another question asked the beard wag whether it would sanction the second half of the five-year bitumensealing programme, so that the plan could be carried out in its entirety. If the board had not sufficient funds this year, perhaps it would permit the •ounty to proceed with the work, and allocate a subsidy next year, so that the county could anticipate its work by one year, for the engineer could then have the roads metalled in preparation this winter. The county wculd like to begin the work in July. The board was fully in sympathy, said Mr. McKenzie, but he could not commit the board's future policy. The board was asked if the Washout bridge would be finished by December.

Mr. McKenzie said that it was expected to finish this bridge at the end of the year. It was desired to have the Waitangi bridge pushed ahead, said Mr. Logan, .nice the present one was the only oneway bridge between Napier and Hastings. On many occasions there was congestion, and frequently it became necessary to have men stationed there at race and show periods. Plans were nearly complete, said Mr. McKenzie, and when tenders were called the job would take about 10 months.

Something better than bitumen sealing wag needed on main highways, said Mr. Logan, and the present method gave the county some concern, it was desired that first-class sealing work costing about £2OOO a mile should be considered for future work. Motor traffic was increasing at a prodigious rate. It was the question of whether tar-sealing was e onomical, er whether a better class of bitumen, or concrete preferably, should be the material used in future. The advantage of concrete roads was that all the material could be found in the Dominion. QUESTION OF NEW BRIDGES. If a road needed a better seal, and the board approved, the work should go ahead with a better seal, said Mr. .ileKenzie.

New bridges were needed at Fernhill and Pakowhai. The two present ones were nearly done, said Mr. Logan. Both wore built immediately after the 1897 Hood.

The answer was that the board was alive to the necessity for renewing cld bridges. In connection with the MaiohikiPakowhai main highway, Mr. Logan said this came fifth on the county fivevear sealing programme, and in asking the board to declare this a main highway last year they did so because it was necessary to abate the dust nuisance as soon as possible. The highway passed through orchard country, and previously a good deal of fruit was ruined. . .

The matter is to be considered with .’then.

The Omahu-Wiliowford road should ■e declared a main highway, said Mr ~ogtin. This was the only road east-to-west between Napier and Palmerston ~'orth, and its being declared a main highway would tnable people going to Auckland to motor to Taihape aud catch the express there. It would retilt in the development of a great area .if land, and there was already a eondurable volue of traffic in the summer wriod. Mr J. H. Edmundson, representing .'io Automobile Association (Hawke's lay) added that the association hoped flint the Main Highways Board would lira the matter its terious consideration. COUNTY'S PROGRAMME. The reply was that the read should be included in the county programme lie submitted in about a month from now.

It was submitted by Mr Logan that lie Napier-Taupo road was greatly in need of improvement. Thousands of tourists and a good many people of the

province used the road. It could profitably be improved. Mr McKenzie said that they would inspect the road on the way back. Concerning the need for a deviation on the Whirinaki hill section, Mr Logan said that if this could be brought about, a bad road would be eliminated. Mr McKenzie said that he would have members of the board inspect the locality and con the plan prepared by Mr Puflett.

In connection with a proposed new works covering a comprehensive progpmme of a general improvement of the Napier-To Pohue section of the Napier-Taupo road, the county was asked to submit particulars, and the beard will go into the matter. Concerning a change of main highway at Haumoana, the county is to send particulars to the board, which will deal with it in about a month’s time.

When the department had finished the works they had in hand, said Mr McKenzie, the question of the county resuming control of the Tangoio-Tutira - i of the main highway eould be p between the board and the