Claims Pressed For Flyover Bridge In Moorhouse Ave.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 12

Claims Pressed For Flyover Bridge In Moorhouse Ave.

"It is not a matter of statistics. The public of Christchurch demands it. This is an unusual intersection.” These were the reasons Cr. A. R. Guthrey, chairman of the city council's works committee, advanced for a flyover bridge in Moorhouse avenue at the Colombo street intersection, when he and his committee met the National Roads Board yesterday. Cr. Guthrey’s reasons appeared staccato for they were punctuated by revving trucks, motor-cars and buses in the 5 o’clock traffic bustle. The committee met the board on the bridge and in Moorhouse avenue. Members of both bodies huddled against buildings to seek protection from the cold wind, and cupped their ears to try to hear the remarks of the speakers “We will consider it,” said the deputy-chairman (Mr N. A. Rattray), who. as a Canterbury member of the board, was well aware of the intersection. "If it was only on, statistics that the board decided on works, then the South Island

would get nothing,” Cr. Guthrey said. "The public thinks that a flyover bridge, or an underpass, here should have the highest priority.” The council had had plans to build a flyover, but the matter was taken out of its hands when Moorhouse avenue was declared a main highway, Cr. Guthrey said. 10-Minute Delay

“It takes 10 minutes some times to cross the road.” Cr. W. P. Glue told the board. The council had agreed to the closing of Durham street railway crossing—and the Railways Department had agreed to meet 25 per cent, of the cost of the overbridge as a consideration—but now there were complaints from carriers, manufacturers and individuals against the closing, he said. When traffic lights were proposed, Cr. Guthrey said it would be a waste of money to install lights which would have limited use and a limited life, "when the flyover bridge would solve the problem.” Board and council members saw one of the peak

times for traffic, with a traffic officer on duty in the middle of Moorhouse avenue, and another traffic officer engaged on directing traffic where barriers are erected while reconstruction of part of the avenue is being made. The proposal for a flyover bridge in the avenue was first made in 1957 as a part of the railway overbridge project. In 1958, the board advised that a flyover or an underpass was a separate issue from that of the overbridge. and it added that if considered a flyover would not be necessary for many years Costs Estimated Rough preliminary estimates of cost were given as £70.000 for a flyover and £lOO.OOO for an underpass. Roads Board figures showed that from 1956 to 1960 the general increase in traffic in the Christchurch area was 25 to 30 per cent., while the increase at the intersection was approximately 7 per cent. The Roads Board arrived in Christchurch late in the afternoon after travelling from the West Coast. Today, members of the board will meet local body representatives to discuss outlets from the city.