Sealing Road Between Passes Is Costly Job

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30901, 6 November 1965, Page 19

Sealing Road Between Passes Is Costly Job

Sealing the highway from Porter’s Pass to Arthur’s Pass involved extra work to avoid damage from heaving by frost so the job was comparatively slow and expensive, said the District Commissioner of Works (Mr D. B. Dallas). He was replying to a correspondent, “Interested Taxpayer,” who wrote: — “Perhaps some members of the National Roads Board could tell us why it is not able to get on with the sealing, from Porters Pass to Arthur’s Pass. During the last eight years I have driven over this road several times. I drove to Arthur’s Pass again yesterday, and the road was in the worst condition I have ever seen it. If they are unable to get on with sealing, perhaps they could put on a water-cart to prevent the road being blown away. There must be several hundredweight of the road blown away every time a car passes through. It has cost quite a lot of motorists’ taxes to build this road, and it does not seem right it should be allowed to be blown away in dust.” Mr Dallas replied:— “The distance between Porter’s Pass and Arthur’s Pass township is approximately 43 miles. During the last two years, five miles and a half has been sealed between Porter’s Pass and Castle Hill straight and this, together with other short lengths of seal at Flock Hill, Bealey and Arthur’s Pass,

brings the total length of seal to approximately eight miles and a half. Preparations for sealing the eight-miie length between Flock Hill and Cass are in hand and it is anticipated that a four-male length will be sealed this season. “Because of the severe winter conditions in this area, it is not practicable to seal existing roads without a considerable buildup of freedraining materials to protect the sealed surface from frost heave. Thus any sealing done is comparatively slow and expensive. Allocation of money is related to traffic densities to some extent and this highway carries a comparatively light volume. “The bridge renewals being planned in this area are also difficult as in each case they involve major realignments. “Estimates now approved in principle by the National Roads Board for the next two years provide for a continuing programme of work on the extension of seal on this highway.”