EAST COAST ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23205, 26 November 1938, Page 20

EAST COAST ROAD

MANY IMPROVEMENTS OPOTIKI TO GISBORNE PREPARING FOR HOLIDAYS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] GISBORNE. Friday Unless exceptional weather intervenes motorists using the East Coast scenic route between Opotiki and Gisborne during the holiday season should find the road generally greatly improved, according to a statement made by tho district engineer at Tauranga, Mr. R. H. P. Konayne. The only obstacle on the route, ' ho said, was lack of bridges, ! but oven this deficiency was being steadily removed. Better progress had been made lately on the bridge over the Raukokore River, which was tho main obstruction on tho x'oad. Eight spans had now been completed and had it not been for the wettest winter on the coast in 20 years tho bridge would liavo been completed by Christmas. Tho low lovel bridge across tho Kereu River had been washed away twice during tho winter, but this was now being reinstated and would bo in' use in a week or two. Three other smaller bridges beyond To Kaha were well advanced and tenders had closed this week for three more bridges in tho same locality.

The Maraenui Hill In tho meantime work was proceeding from tho Opotiki end on tho reconstruction and widening of tho road. Special attention was being given to tho Maraenui Hill. The object was to provide a safe motoring road 18ft. wide. Fifty men, numerous lorries, mechanical shovels, graders hnd other plant wore omployod and had mado good progress with the improved weather. Mr. llonayno said that this highway was attracting more tourists every year and, judging by tho interest of Automobile Association officials, it seemod likely that tho popularity of the road would be greatly increased in the near future*. Everything would be left shipshape for the holiday traffic and, provided motorists took heed of weather warnings, there should be little risk in using tho road. Completing New Bridges On tho section of the road from Cape Runaway to Gisborno improvements had also been effected. It is expected that the worst obstacle, the Whangaparaoa River, will bo bridged before Christmas.

Between Gisborne and Opotiki on the Waioeka route two new bridges near Waikohu have been completed and the preparation of the approaches is now in progress. In the Waioeka Valley one open been eliminated by the construction of a culvert and another stream toward the Opotiki end has been bridged.