BULLER GORGE ROAD OPEN

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1930, Page 9

BULLER GORGE ROAD OPEN

ECHO OF GREAT EARTHQUAKE

16 MONTHS IN RECONSTRUCTION.

FINE HIGHWAY TO- WEST COAST.

By Telegfaph.—PrMß Association.

Nelson, Last Night.

The first general traffic td£travel over the Buller Gorge Road between Murchison and Lyell since the earthquake on Juno 17 last year will go over an improved and reconstructed road to-mor-row, from which date the highway will be officially open for public use. For 16 months traffic between the northern end of the island and the west coast has been diverted to the Maruia Valley route, which has entailed the travelling of longer distances oyer poor roads and consequent greater travelling time over a less interesting route, Although 16 months seems a long time, when the extent of the work is considered tribute must be paid to the I’ublic Works officials for/ having the route reopened as soon -as they have. On a large section of the route it was not a matter of clearing and restoring tile old highway 'but of making an absolutely new road to replace the old one which was obliterated by landslides. The work has been well done and ■ the result is a wide, safe and easy-graded road. What was originally r little more than a mountain track is now a highway -f standard width with'banked corner's on which it is easy for vehicles to pass, aS they Can oiy-any portion of the road.

It is probable that the' earthquake proved a blessing in disguise so far as through access to the West Coast from the northern end of the South Island is concerned, as the Buller Road would probably have been left in its original state for years.