SOUTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20629, 30 July 1930, Page 13

SOUTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY

PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION [BT XKLEGBAPH. —OWN CORHESTONDEST. ] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Good progress is beinjr made with tha construction of the Sout h Island llain Trunk railway, and it '3 estimated that Hie rast incurred has been about £200.000, The Public Works Department states that 300 men are engaged on the north end of the new line, and 250 on the south.

In the southern area there are a coo J number of cuttings to be opened np, and between the Conway River and Parnassus cuttings and culverts aro in hand. Sutvev work on the southern end is now in hand in the vicinity of Goto. in the mouth 01 the Conway.

On the northern end there is now a total stretch, of track of about, four and a-half miles. Beyond this formation work is well in hand for about another eight, miles. The main obstacle encountered so far is what, is known to the construction nartv as the "Blue Slip," an ancient slip about half a mile long. Steam shovels and locomotives are now attacking this stretch of country, and when the balance of the formation work is completed here, a great deal of the remaining work for soniß distance will be through sandy country which is now being stabilised by planting. Generally speaking, there is no serious obstacle between this slip until the Clarence River is reached. 20 miles from Wharanui. Sufficient permanent way is now on the ground to complete the rail to the Clarence River.

The foundation for tlie Clarence Bridge is now in band, and the survey t'rcra tins point has been completed for about eight miles below the Clarence River, while a trial survey has been pushed on for another eight miles beyond that again. The work between'the Blue Slip and the Clarence will probably cost iess per miie than any other line now being constructed.