FINE SCENIC ROUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21968, 27 November 1934, Page 10

FINE SCENIC ROUTE

OPOTIKI-GISBORNE ROAD improvements during year WORK STILL TO BE DONE Important improvements to the coastal route between Opotiki and Gisborne have been a feature of the year's roading operations in the district, and according to assurances given to the Automobile Association (Auckland) some little time ago, when representations were made regarding the route, work is to be continued progressively until an all-weather road is provided. During the past 12 months additional metal has been laid and several very awkward sections of road have heen eliminated, and in consequence it was anticipated that the* 1934-35 holiday traffic would have little difficulty in making the through trip, with the exception of the unbridged crossing at the Karakatuwhero Itiver. Unexpected troubles have arisen, however, through two of the rivers between Te Kaha and Cape Runaway having changed their courses. Low-levol bridges were provided for traffic last summer, but following the winter floods, the rivers gouged out a different course in their wide shingle beds, and it will now bo necessary to extend the bridges to provide a safe crossing over the entire bed of each river. An inspection recently carried out by an Automobile Association patrol indicates that of the section between Hicks Bay and Cape Runaway, a distance of approximately 21 miles, thf first 15 miles oh the Gisborne side are in good order, but the last 5$ miles toward Cape Runaway are in a distinctly dangerous condition owing to the extreme narrowness of two fillings and one cutting. Furthe'r work at these points will be necessary before the road can be regarded as safe, and it appear* as if a certain amount of damage to sew clay formation is being caused through lack of maintenance. .In places the water tables were found to be blocked and there were deep scourings across the roadway caused by water. In reply to representations, the Main Highways Board has advised that it is hoped to have a bridge across the Karakatuwhero River by the time an all-weather metal route is provided. The Karakatuwhero River is- between Hicks Bay and Te Araroa, and provides a very treacherous crossing for motorcars.

The Automobile Association draws attention to the fact that all-weather traffic will be an impossibility until the clay lengths are metalled and that even when this is complete the road will be useless in wet weather until thd Karakatuwhero River is bridged. The board's advice that the completion of these two important features will coincide, provides hope that in the near future one of New Zealand's finest coastal scenic trips will be available for all classes of traffic without fear of inconvenience.