MAIN HIGHWAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 9

MAIN HIGHWAYS

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD SATISFACTORY RESULTS OBTAINED FROM IMPROVED METHODS The monthly meeting of the Main Highways Board was held in Wellington on the 17th and 18th instants, Mr F. W. Furkert presiding. Following is the report of tho board : - During the past few months numerous representations have been made for subsidies towards the cost of maintenance of detour roads, which have to be used during the time a main highway is closed to traffic on account of reconstruction. the grounds for such representations. being that any additional cost incurred in maintaining such detour roads should be regarded as a part of the cost of reconstruction of the main highway. The board decided to allow a subsidy on expenditure required to keep the surface of the detobr road in the same condition in which it is usually maintained by the controlling authority and will regard such subsidy as part of the construction costs of the main highway. HIGHWAYS NUMBERED Some time ago the board issued a map showing tho various highways throughout New Zealand, and allotted a number to each highway. It is now proposed that the number of each highway in a circle be placed on direction posts, and local bodies and Automobile Associations are to be communicated with to this effect. The board will regard the sign posting a construction'work ((so far as new sign posts are concerned), and a maintenance work (so far as repairs to or substitution of existing sign posts relate), and will subsidise accordingly, subject to the work being first, approved by the board, and subject to the numbering of the main highway on the sign post.

Numerous, cases were brought under tho board's notice of improvement in road surfaces. Such improvement is being brought about by the adoption by local authorities of improved and up-to-date methods advocated by the board, and at little or no extra cost. There are on the other hand, cases where local authorities are loath to abandon methods which are known to be expensive and less effective, but the board predicts the •day when all local authorities will adopt modern methods in favour of those which were found adequate prior to the advent of fast moving traffic. WORKS CARRIED OUT The following statement shows the more important work carried out during the period:— Great North road.—Avondale Borough section: The concrete road is complete on this length, except two or three chains at the junction of Station road. Whakatane-Tauranga—Thornton Abridge, which was damaged during 4 the recent floods, is now open for light traffic. Gisborne-Opotiki, via the coast. Quarrying is being continued at Whangara Island, and it is hoped shortly to commence laying the top course of metal on the section from 12 miles to 16 miles. , Gisborne-Wairoa, via Morere.—No new construction work has been carriod out on this section, but a road roller and scarifier is at work performing major maintenance, and good results are being obtained. Woodville-Palmerston North. The whole of the formation work between cemetery gate and the toll bridge has been completed. Napier-Wellington, via Wairarapa.— Tamaki bridge, two piers of this bridge have Tfteen completod, and substantial temporary staging has been erected 1 . Petane-Taupo.y-On the Tauoo to Rnpanga Falls section, a road roller, grader and scarifier is operating on maintenance work with good results. Napier-Gisborne, via Wniroa.—Betwor** Mohaka and Tutira a road roller, grade. l and scarifier is working on maintenance and reconstruction work. Auckland-Wcllington. via Taranaki. • On the Mokau section 32 chains of metalling were scarified, recoated and rolled. Porirua-Pareniata.T-Widening work on this section is praeticallv completed, and foundation metal has been laid for a considerable length.