NEW ROAD TO ARAPUNI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18354, 21 March 1923, Page 8

NEW ROAD TO ARAPUNI.

CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

REQUIRED LAND PURCHASED

WORK TO COMMENCE SHORTLY.

The first stage in the development of the Arapuni hydro-electric scheme will bo the construction of a concrete road from the railway at Putaruru to the site of the dam. The road will traverse the properties of several settlers, and the purchase of the necessary strips of land, for which options were obtained by the Public Works Department about eight months ago, has now been completed. It is understood that the construction of the road will be commenced immediately. It is estimated that 28,000 tons of cement will be required for the head works at Arapuni. Other materials, and eventually the generating machinery, some parts of which will be of great weight, will also be transported from Putaruru to the site, so that a substantial road is essential. The route adopted by the department is 8£ miles in length, about half a mile less than the existing road. A deviation will be made to avoid Pearson's Hill, and this will secure a road practically level over the whole distance. Apart from other important aspects of the Arapuni scheme, it is recognised that its development will be of direct advantage to the district by the improvement of communication it will effect. In addition to the concrete road and the bridging of the Waikato at the dam, the scheme will create a lake 20 miles in length that will provide water transport for a wide area of land suitable for settlement in small holdings.