OVERBRIDGE OPENED

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28434, 14 November 1957, Page 14

OVERBRIDGE OPENED

Blenheim Road Completion

The Blenheim road overbridge will be opened to traffic today, completing the new southern outlet to the city boundary, although finishing work remains to be done to the bridge.

Some motorists had a “preview” of the bridge last evening, when, at the request of the Transport Department, it was opened for two hours to assist in clearing the inward traffic from the races at Riccarton. Approaches and handrails to the overbridge, which was begun less than 12 months ago, have not been completed, but a 30ft wide strip of roadway has been sealed to allow traffic to use the highway right to Deans avenue. It is the intention of the Ministry of Works to close Lowe street later, which up to now has led on to the new highway, and to put a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the railway line at Lowe street. Traffic will now have a clear run from Sockburn to the city boundary, but what happens there has still to be decided. Roundabout and Park

A road through Hagiey Park has been mentioned when the southern outlet has been discussed; but that proposal has met with many objections, one of them from the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) A roundabout in Deans avenue has also been discussed by the City Council, without any conclusion being reached. When it became obvious that if there was a rouniabout part of the park would be needed, there were suggestions from councillors that instead of taking park land a piece of land should be taken from the saloyards. Officials of the Ministily of Works, the National Roads Board, the City Council, the Riccarton Borough Council and the Transport Department, met on the site several months ago to discuss the siting of the roundabout.

With the overbridge opened and city-bound traffic being encouraged to use Blenheim road in preference to Riccarton road, it is certain that some action will have to be taken for the channelling of traffic entering and leaving the new highway. Some city councillors will welcome the opening of the new bridge, as it will give an opportunity for traffic counts to be taken, and they consider that with those they will be in a better position to discuss what is needed.