ENGINEERING FORESIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20744, 11 December 1930, Page 16

ENGINEERING FORESIGHT.

SEWAGE STORAGE TANKS. PART OF WATERFRONT ROAD. Considerable foresight was shown by tho City Council and Drainage Board authorities sixteen years ago, when tho main outfall sewerage works were being constructed at Orakei. The scheme included capacious storago tanks, which were constructed at the point on tho eastern extremity of Okahu Bay, and as a roadway along the foreshoro of the harbour was actually contemplated at that time tho tanks were so constructed that tho top, or roof, was capable of becoming part of the road. Tho level of tho top was placed on tho lino of the ultimate roadway and was strengthened sufficiently to carry tramcars should they ever be taken that way. In the course of a roport to tho Drainage Board at its meeting last evening, tho engineer and secretary, Mr. 11. 11. Watkins, said that tho deck of tho storago tanks was to become part of the new waterfront roadway and tentative arrangements had been made with tho Public Works Department to form tho superelevation at tho outlet end of tho tanks and to prepare the surface for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The carriageway was to be covered with a bituminous carpet 2in. in thickness and tho sidewalks were to bo tarred and sanded. This work would bo done and paid for by the Public Works Department and the board was asked to take down tho. existing fenco on the ccntro lino of the tanks and re-erect it on the inner edge, as well as to fix an additional hardwood kerb along tho whole length of tho tanks. Tho costof this work would also bo paid for by tho department. The engineer's recommendation that this work be proceeded with was adopted. It has beon the practice of tho board to store its supply of coal for the pumping machinery on tho deck of tho tanks, but it will now be necessary for tho board to make oilier arrangements, and tho engineer recommended that a reinforced concreto bunker bo constructed on the reclaimed area at the northern end of tho main building at an estimated cost of ovor £3OO. This was agreed to.