CONCRETE FOR HIGHWAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 263, 6 November 1931, Page 8

CONCRETE FOR HIGHWAYS

PAPAKUEA TO MERCER NEW SCHEME PROPOSED PUKEKOHE, Nov .4. New proposals are being submitted to the Main Highways Board for the concreting of the Great South Road through the Franklin County, from Papakura to Mercer. Speaking at a meeting of tho Pokeno Chamber of Commerce last evening, Mr J. Dean, Mercer Riding representative on the Franklin County Council, said tests had been made of a concrete mix which could bo laid for an estimated cost of 9s a cubic yard. On this basis, the whole road, a length of 14 miles, could be concreted at a cost of only £2BOO more than the estimated cost of the present scheme for concreting the road for the first 2$ miles and bitumenising the remainder. Inquiry at the Franklin County Council office to-day elicited the information that the tests of the material mentioned by Mr Dean appeared to be highly satisfactory. Complete estimates had been prepared by the county engineer, Mr J. F. McArthur, for surfacing the road in this class of concrete and despatched to Wellington, where they should be received to-day. It was estimated that the concrete road throughout would cost about £l5OO a year less to maintain than a road mostly in bitumen. Details were to be discussed between the county chairman, Mr J. N. Massey, M.P., and the Highways Board.