Timaru bridge-road complex opened

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33096, 11 December 1972, Page 2

Timaru bridge-road complex opened

(From Our Own Reporter)

TIMARU, December 10.

The Timaru overbridge, named by the Mayor of Timaru (Mr C. R. Hervey), Port Loop Bridge, and loop road are in use.

The new route to the waterfront area for south-bound commercial traffic was opened officially on Saturday by the Minister of Transport and member of Parliament for Timaru (Sir Basil Arthur).

Two of 230 entries in thej contest to name the bridge' had proposed that the com-1 plex should be known as Port I Bridge, said the Mayor, narn-i ing it Port Loop Bridge.' About 500 people attended ! the ceremony. Sir Basil Arthur, who wasj accompanied by Lady Arthur, said that the opening was his! first official duty in his own! electorate as a Minister. “It is a great day for Ti-| maru.” Sir Basil Arthur' added. PORT ACCESS He said the National Roads! Board was conscious of the importance of providing ade-'

quate access to ports, and ;last year main roads leading ito ports were declared State highways. The need for the port acicess bridge in Timaru was seen in 1930. The National I Roads Board and Timaru were working together to implement the comprehensive transportation plan, of which the provision of a loop providing direct access to the port was a key element. Economic factors had caused some review of the long-term targets for the complete plan, and further discussions and negotiations could be expected soon. Sir Basil Arthur said the Roads Board had contributed not less than $600,000 for the construction of the port access loop in implementing the first part of the plan.

The Timaru Harbour Board had pursued a vigorous port development programme, and had installed bulk-loading facilities for meat, grain and lucerne pellets, and with faci-

lities for the discharge of bulk fertiliser shipments.

The completion of the port access ramp and overbridge meant that a large proportion of the heavy traffic generated by the port trade would be rerouted. This would greatly relieve the congestion, noise and fumes which had plagued Stafford Street.

“The National Roads Board, recognising that the port access loop is an important and integral part of the scheme, agreed to a three-for-one subsidy for its construction,” said Sir Basil Arthur. More than 330 bridges a year had been constructed in the last decade, but the need for new structures and the replacement of ones below standard was still “in the desperate category” in many parts of the country. The designers of the Port Loop Bridge, E. R. Garden and Partners, of Dunedin, had done a great job, as had the constructors, Downer and

Company, Ltd, said Sir Basil Arthur. WELCOMED BY BOARD The chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr H. H. Elworthy) said the board welcomed the road, and was gratified that 'it had been able to make some contribution towards the project by the provision, of land.

the complex, he said, would emphasise the interdependence of the city and the port. "It will be our endeavour to make both prospelbus,” said Mr Elworthy. Sir Basil Arthur cut the ribbon, and declared the bridge and road complex open. The Mayor presented Sir Basil Arthur with a salver.

The lighting system for the slm bridge will cost $33,000, it is estimated. It will consist of six 100 ft steel masts bearing clusters of powerful sodium lights — thought to be the first high-mast scheme, with directional lights, in the country.