Arthur’s Pass Road Discussed Again

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31384, 1 June 1967, Page 14

Arthur’s Pass Road Discussed Again

The Arthur’s Pass route to the West Coast was discussed' again by the Canterbury Progress League last evening. The chairman (Mr G. R. Burrowes) said that the Minister had said the ban on buses using the route could not be lifted for safety reasons, and it would be too expensive at this time to make the road safe for buses of more than two tons and a half. Mr A. Y. Shuker said the National Roads Board was evading making the pass fit for heavy traffic. It was decided to ask the Boards Board for a copy of its report on its survey of the Arthur’s Pass road on February 16. The District Commissioner of Works (Mr D. B. Dallas), who spoke to the league on South Island reading, said there had been much misunderstanding about the Arthur’s Pass road.

At the moment there was a 'section of road from Reid’s Falls to the second Otira bridge which was very narrow, with blind corners, and ■ these would be eliminated, Mr i Dallas said. This might cost : £14,000 to £16,000. I At a District Roads Council : meeting a month ago it was ; decided to spend £7OOO to i start the job, which it was hoped to complete in two years. The ban on buses was i not necessarily connected with the work that would be ’ done on this section. Some day something major i had to be done with the gorge, iMr Dallas said. The present . road would go overnight if there was a major storm. The , ultimate solution might even be a concrete causeway in the bed of the stream in the ; gorge.