D.—l.

Progress Report. The following statement shows the more important construction work carried out under the control of the Board during the year ended 31st March, 1938 : — Whangarei-Awanui via Kawakawa : — Kamo-Hikurangi: The Snake Hill Deviation, which was carried out in conjunction with the formation of the approaches of the Kamo Overbridge, was completed, 54 ch. being formed and metalled. The overbridge, of three 30 ft. spans, was completed and opened to traffic. 9 ch. of the Springs Flat length was also formed and metalled, and the erection of two short-span bridges and one large culvert completed. A contract was let for the reconstruction and sealing of 1 m. 25 ch. between Kauri and Hikurangi. The Kauri Overbridge Deviation was continued, 12|-ch. being formed. The bridge itself has now been put in hand. Hikurangi-Waiotu : 50 ch. of deviation on improved alignment was completed. The erection of the Whakapara Bridge of six 40 ft. spans, is well in hand. The new bridge will have ample water-way, with a view to reducing local flooding. Hukerenui Flood Alleviation: The original work has been extended by 16 ch., and during the year 25 ch. was formed and 39 ch. metalled. The 90 ft. embankment bridge has been completed, and the approaches are being formed and metalled. The deviation is now available for use. Waiomio Flood Alleviation : The formation has been carried up to grade level, but has yet to be widened. A concrete bridge of three 30 ft. spans has been nearly completed. Milne's Flood Alleviation : The embankment has been metalled and is in use. Kawakawa-Waiomio : This section was reconstructed over a distance of 1J m., of which 1 m. has been metalled. Kawakawa Flood Alleviation : With the exception of the approaches to the bridges, the embankment has been completed and base-course metal applied. A contract has been let for the three permanent bridges, totalling 390 ft., and work is in hand. Moerewa Village (Reconstruction and Sealing) : The reconstruction of If m. preparatory to sealing has been commenced. Rangiahua and Mangamuka Flood Alleviations : The formation has been put in hand. Whangarei-Dargaville: — Kirikiri Bridge : The replacement of the existing one-way structure with a concrete bridge of 30 ft. span and 24 ft. roadway was completed. Steven's Hill: This deviation of 34 ch. is nearing completion. Besides shortening the distance, the new alignment eliminates a series of sharp reverse curves. The main cutting is in volcanic rock, some of which has been crushed for maintenance and construction metal. Dargarville-Maungaturoto: — Ruawai (Reconstruction and Sealing) : Reconditioning and widening of 6| m. was completed, and a contract let for 2m. of top-course metalling and sealing. Reconstruction will continue throughout the winter. Skelton's and Cliff's Bridges : A contract has been let for the erection of these bridges (170 ft. and 45 ft. long respectively), and work is in hand. Maungaturoto Village (Reconstruction and Sealing) : This work is in hand over a length of 40 oh. Whangarei-Maungaturoto via Waipu :— Whangarei-Oakleigh : The realignment of this section is proceeding, 1 m. 44 ch. being formed and Im. 12 ch. metalled during the year. The principle reconstruction work between Oakleigh and Portland Junction is now completed. The construction of two small bridges, at Portland Junction and at 5 m. 73 ch., is well in hand, and a third, over Te Wai-iti Stream, has been completed, eliminating a well-known danger spot. Oakleigh Overbridge : The approaches have been carried up to the bridge-site, and the erection of the structure is in hand. Oakleigh-Waipu : Widening and shouldering of the existing narrow sealed surface were carried out over If m. Mata Bridge: This bridge is being constructed in half-width sections, the first of which has been completed. The approaches are in hand. Waipu, Sealing : 30 ch. of reconstruction through the township was carried out. Birkenhead-Maungaturoto (No. 1 District) : — Massey Road - Orewa : A length of Im. 43 ch. between Silverdale and Orewa Bridge has been metalled, primed, and sealed. North of Massey Road, 3 m. 30 ch. of second-coat sealing was carried out. McKeown's Bridge : A two-span structure 60 ft. in length, with a 24 ft. roadway, was completed, and the approaches formed and metalled. The addition of a footbridge to the Wade Bridge at Silverdale has been recently completed. Orewa-Waiwera —Waiwera Hill: 9 ch. of new formation and 8 ch. of widening were carried out, and the metalling of this length completed the deviation for Christmas traffic. The Waiwera Subway Bridge, of three 30 ft. spans, was completed. Reconditioning and first-coat sealing were carried out over 2 m. 11 ch., and a further 75 ch. received a second-coat seal.

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