NEW TRAFFIC ROUTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 20

NEW TRAFFIC ROUTES.

IMPORTANT UNDERTAKINGS

HAURAKI PENINSULA ROADS,

VALUE OF RELIEF WORKS

[by telegraph. —OWN CORRESPONDENT..! PAEROA. Wednesday

Ten years ago the Hauraki Peninsula was to" all intents and purposes practically an unroaded and desolate stretch of hill country. Within tho past three years it has been converted into a fnirly well-served area as far as reading is concerned, largely as tho result of the uncm ployment relief works of the Public Works Department. It is now estimated that within a year a round-thc-peninsula motor route will be provided through scenery that will rival tho Te Kuiti-Ncw Plymouth tour for its beauty and grandeur. Last winter the Thames-Coromandel-Mercury Bay routo was considerably shortened by tho construction of a road from Tapu, on tho Thames coast, to Mer cury Bay. This routo was much used by visitors during the summer months and with tho completion of metalling work will form a permanent highway between Thames and Mercury Bay, obviating tho necessity for the use of the round-about Coromandcl route.

Route Along Sea Coast. Tho. major work of tho department s gangs of relief workers who aro now penetrating the peninsula from all points was tho complotion of tho Colwill-Port Charles Road to the northernmost end of tho peninsula. This is a splendidly graded road skirting the sea coast, and was declared open for traffic last April by the Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works.

Tho community interest of peninsula settlers lies directly with Thames, and it is probable that the needs of the laiiua settlers in this connection will be met by tho construction of a road between Tairua and Whenuakite, giving an outlet to Thames via Tapu. This proposed route is being surveyed. It would greatly assist in tho development of the inland recesses of the peninsula.

During tho last few months of the winter over 300 men were continuously employed on relief works in various parts of the peninsula and have accomplished much good work. Tho Waihi-Whanga-mata section is practically completed. A small stretch cannot be fully formed until tho summer owing to tho swampy nature of tho country. Tho Paraka&ai Bridgo is open for traffic, and the approach roads will be laid down early next January. Two streams between the bridgo and Whangamata have been provided with crossings, one of which will later be "replaced by a permanent bridge. Whangamata and Hikuai.

One of the largest gangs is employed on the stretch of 13 miles between Whangamata and Ilikuai. A deviation through Tramway Gully has shortened tho old track by threo miles and brought the road within easy reach of a valuable block of grazing country at Mangaparu. Material is being landed for the erection of a bridge over tho Kapara swamp, and plans arc being made at the department's Paeroa headquarters for other bridges at Otuwheti, Wharekawa aud Boom Creek. Mr. O. G. Thornton, resident engineer to tho department, estimates that the road will bo open for motor traffic fairly early in 1929.

An engineering survey is being made of the section between Tairua and Whenuakite, and if this project is carried out work will be found for a large number of men on heavy formation work next winter.

Improved facilities are being given on the northern end of the peninsula by widening the deviation work on the road between Coromandel and Whangapau, previously a narrow, unsafe route for motor traffic. The Colville-Port Jackson stretch of 12 miles is being widened to a distance of 12ft. Thero were many engineering difficulties in tho making of this road, which have been cleverly surmounted in tho provision of an excellently graded summer motoring run destined to become very popular with Auckland motorists.