GREAT SOUTH ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 15

GREAT SOUTH ROAD

FRANKLIN COUNTY SECTION WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION TASK NEARING COMPLETION The earthworks which form part of the reconstruction of the Franklin County section of the Great South Road between Runciman and the north end of the Bombay deviation are nearing completion, according to the touring manager of the Automobile Association (Auckland), Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, who inspected the road this week. The association anticipates that, given reasonable weather, the road should be in a suitable condition to carry traffic about the end of March.

'The big cutting immediately north of Ramarama has been finished, and at present the point where the new road crosses the old formation is receiving attention. A cutting about 10ft. deep is being made right through the old road, and the spoil is being used to fill a depression, so that a level surface will result. The metalling contract has been let for the entire length of the unsurfaced road between this cutting and the Bombay deviation. Metal has already been laid from the Bombay deviation northward to Wright's deviation, which was recently sealed, and the laying of drains and other work preparatory to metalling is now being carried from the north end of Wright's deviation toward Ramarama.

No provision has been made this financial year for the sealing of the section now being metalled, but it is expected that this will be considered shortly. The association has asked the Main Highways Board to provide a tar-sealed surface as soon as possible The contract for work between Runciman and jtist north of Ramarama, which includes tar-sealing, has been completed as far as the earthworks now in progress will permit.

As soon as the main road is again open for traffic, it will no longer be necessary to use the Pukekohe East detour, which is a source of continued complaints from motorists. The condition of this detour was discussed by the association with the Main Highways Board in Auckland recently, and the board was requested to ensure in future that deviations were in a reasonably safe and satisfactory condition before traffic was diverted on to them from main highways.