Northland Public Works Project

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1938, Page 7

Northland Public Works Project

The extensive programme of the Public Works Department in Northland is moving ahead steadily, and despite the unfavourable winter weather, much progress has been made in the past few months. The most notable work in the province is the Auckland-Whangarei main highway deviation via Brendcrwyn. on which activity has been advanced to sucli a stage that the new road was temporarily opened to traffic when the present road was blocked by flooding a few days ago. New Bridge at Paparoa. TWo new bridges, replacing existing one-way structures, are hr course of erection at Paparoa, on the Maunga-turoto-Dargaville main highway. The bridges to be replaced are those known as Cliff’s, at the foot of the hill adjacent to the Otamatea County Council’s office, and Skelton’s, half a mile further on towards Dargaville. These wooden structures are placed on awkward alignments, but the new two-way bridges, which will be complete with footpaths for the convenience of local residents, will be built to conform with new improved grades and alignments, and will give better visibility. The manufacture and driving of piles is well in hand. Sealing at Maungaturoto. At Maungaturoto the Department has a scheme for tar-sealing one and a-half miles of highway through the township, and on the central section of half a mile, the priming coat was laid some time ago. Advantage was taken of recent fine weather by the contractor, Mr A. G. Printer, c-f Papatoetoe. to lay the first sealing coat. New Headquarters. In view of the increasing amount of activity in that centre, the district headquarters of the department have been , moved from Warkworth to Maungaturoto. the office and engineering staff! overseers having been transferred. Seme of the transfers have taken effect already, although the change is, in the main, a gradual one. They expect to be in Maungaturoto for a period of eight years, engaged upon , the main highways construction programme and maintenance work. To accommodate the staff, five new houses are being erected at Maungaturoto by the department. Water Supply for Maungaturoto, The department is now investigating the possibilities of a water supply scheme for Maungaturoto, primarily for Government and departmental dwellings and buildings, although, if it is found practicable and the residents so desire, it may be extended to such other private dwellings and farms as wish to link up with the proposal.. Various suggested sources, of supply, of which several are available, are being investigated. A complete scheme for the whole area will be formulated if found worthwhile. Schoolgrmmtls Improvements. A grant of £6OO has been approved for improvements to the Maungaturoto schoolgrounds, sheds, and playing | fields, and this work is being put in | hand by the department. Sealing at Maungatapere. On account of the unsettled weather, this is a difficult time for highway sealing operations, but a little more than a week ago advantage was taken of a few days of dry weather to apply the priming coat of tar to the reconstructed surface on the Whan-garei-Dargaville highway at Maungatapere. and the final coat will be applied as soon as weather permits.