ROAD TO HOMER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27568, 9 December 1950, Page 8

ROAD TO HOMER

Clearing Work Now In Progress PREPARATION FOR HOLIDAYS Improvements have been started on the Eglinton road near the Homer Tunnel and by Christmas it should be clear of obstruction and in reasonably 'good order for the expected heavy traffic at that time. This is the first of several improvement projects in the area. Accommodation is being prepared at present for the 15 men who will work in the tunnel and soon after Christmas work will be started on the Milford side of the road. The contractors, the Love Construction Co., Ltd., are prefabricating in Dunedin, sections of the ablution block and other buildings which will be sent to the Homer for erection. Work on the camp will continue over the Christmas holidays to ensure that it is completed when it is required. Some of the former camp at the Homer will be reinstated, including a part of the cookhouse. New equipment will be installed and other amenities suited to an isolated area will be provided. As most of the heavy manual work has been completed in the tunnel, mechanisation will play a big part when widening operations begin. This will probably be in February. The tunnellers have to widen 33 chains of drive to thp full width of the section. All the necessary holes have been drilled so that it remains for the charges to be placed and exploded. For several days now a heavy machine has been at work clearing the boulders and earth left on the roadway by S wash-out last year. Although the traffic has been able to get as far as the tunnel the completion of this work will allow a clear passage.