MAIN NORTH ROAD

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1929, Page 16

MAIN NORTH ROAD

DEVIATION OR IMPROVEMENT? HEAVV EXPENSE INVOLVED. Wellington, Sept. 30. With a view to the improvement of the grades avd:;alignment of the Auck-land-Wellington main highway between Pio Pio ahd Mahoenui, the Main Highways Board some time ago instructed that a survey should bo. made of a proposed deviation via Aria and w. is known as the Totoro Valley Road. The present route of the- highway through the Mangaotaki Gorge is narrow, and on account of the nature of the country through which it passes the widening, as well as the improvement of grade and alignment, have always been looked upon as very costly undertakings. A survey of the proposed deviation, via Aria to Totoro Valey, however, shows

that-its construction would cost about £BO,OOO. On account of the very substantial expenditure involved, the board has nowdecided to have a detailed survey made to ascertain the cost of widening- and improving the present road. Whatever route may ultimately be adopted the expenditure involved will be such' thatthe board is not likely to proceed with the work in the immediate future, but as improvements will have to be faced at some future date, it is considered advisable to obtain as much information as possible while the surveyors are on the ground. '