KING’S DRIVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 561, 14 January 1929, Page 10

KING’S DRIVE

Seaside Boulevard PROGRESS ON WATERFRONT In a few months’ time the waterfront road should be a magnificent stretch of smooth tarred macadam running from Auckland to the pumping station at Orakei. The road is now closed, and the first 30yds from the Auckland end are receiving their final coating of metal before the tar is applied. Heavy tractor-rollers are engaged in rolling * the metal to the required strength, the footpaths are being formed, and the curbing put into position. . ... The waterfront road, which is being made in conjunction with the Auck-land-Westfield railway deviation, will be a splendid asset to the city, and eventually *\vill form a magnificent boulevard from Queen Street to Mission Bay. It is a continuation of King’s Drive-, and will really begin at the foot of Queen Street. The rock facing of the waterfront road has been completed to Hobson Point. Orakei, and the men are engaged from there on in placing the huge rocks in position to the pumping station. Every care has been taken to provide against the inroads of storms and the subsequent damage which might be caused. Outside the rock facing, which has been cemented, is a wide bank of heavier rock strong enough to withstand the force of any waves. Running the whole length of the road, on the harbour side, will be a panelled balustrade. This has not yet been started, and will be the finishing touch to the whole scheme. Between the balustrade and the footpath will be beds of flowers and small shrubs. These will not be planted, however, until the roadway is finished. Near the Point Resolution intake a concrete bridge, 60ft wide, is to be built. This will be a dignified structure, in conformity with the balustrade and the general architecture of the whole scheme. Another bridge, similar in design, will be built across another of the intakes at Hobson Point, Orakei. It will also be 60ft wide and 300 ft long. In constructing the road round to the pumping-station at Orakei and on to Mission Bay the engineers are following the contour of the cliffs, so that the natural beauty of the harbour front will not be destroyed or interfered with in any way. The carriage way along the whole length of the road, from the city to Mission Bay, will be 50ft wide and per* fectly level. From the Post Office in Queen Street to the terminus of the carriage-way will be just over four miles. It is not expected that the whole scheme will be completed for another two years, but the first section, to the pumping-station at Orakei, should be ready at this time next year. Long before that, however, the road will be passable to Hobson Point.