Slow Traffic Problem In Tunnel

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32362, 30 July 1970, Page 18

Slow Traffic Problem In Tunnel

Slow traffic in the Christchurch-Lyttelton road tunnel remains a problem, but the tunnel authority was offered no answer yesterday.

Mr L. H. Wilson, the general manager, who died recently but who had completed his annual report, wrote that any problem that existed with commercial traffic going to Lyttelton had been largely overcome since the widening of the southbound . lane through the cutting area on the approach road.

problem. The increase in extra axles for trucks, which indicated a greater use of trailers, was 45.9 per cent last year and 78.6 per cent in the previous year. “Short of placing some restrictions on the use of trailers, which would no doubt be restricted by commercial users, there is no solution,” Mr Wilson’s report said. Slow traffic was accepted in many parts of the city because of large and peak flows, traffic lights, intersections and stop signs, but it was not so easy to accept in the tunnel where there were not the same restrictions. Mr Wilson wrote that some loads were not safe. Narrow escapes from death and serious injury had been reported. Large containers and heavy concrete or steel secured with inch and a half ropes of doubtful reliability were the outstanding faults. Some loads had been expected to remain in position by their weight alone. Traffic officers were taking suitable action, Mr Wilson said.

The grade of one in 38 through the tunnel to Heathcote should not be too great for a modern truck, he wrote, but often trucks were called on to haul greater loads than they were designed for at reasonable speeds. The increasing use of trailers had accentuated the