Roads Problem “Serious”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31657, 18 April 1968, Page 30

Roads Problem “Serious”

(New Zealand Frets Association)

WELLINGTON, April 17.

In the next 10 years, 330 miles of rural highways would have to be widened to four lanes to avoid serious congestion on the approaches to major centres of population, the National Road Board was told today.

An approximate estimate of the cost is between s2om and s3om. The Chief Highways Engineer (Mr F. A. Langbein) in presenting the results of a census on traffic movements during 1966, said the position was much more serious than imagined. “We did not realise that our problems would be quite as formidable as they are,” he said.

“There are fantastic growth rates of up to 25 per cent in some areas.” Mr Langbein said the 330 miles of widening necessary did not include works required within urban areas, or the reconstruction of pavements of adequate width that were bearing increasing loads. “The analysis showed that the vertical lengths are characterised by high annual rates of growth so that widening to three lanes is not an available practical solution. “Nearly 70 per eent of the mileage concerned is included in sections over 10 miles in length which indicates that relatively largescale single works are required.” he said.