Chch-Picton link of ‘national import’

Press, 21 July 1976, Page 1

Chch-Picton link of ‘national import’

Staff reporter Wellington The main PictonChristchurch highway was recognised as “a link of national importance” by the National Roads Board in Wellington yesterday, and it accepted that every effort should be made to retain class 1 loading capability on the highway if practicable. The immediate spending of $150,000 on the road was approved by the board. It confirmed the action of the Director of Roading in arranging for the immediate strengthening of seven small bridges — Woodbank, Elms, Coldstream. Harrisons, Caroline, Mary Stewart, and Cobolds —at a cost of $35,000. The board also approved the expenditure of $40,000 for Waiau Bridge investigations and site works, $25,000 on Waiau Bridge repairs and maintenance, and $50,000 on Leader Road and State Highway 7 maintenance.

"Strengthening of the remaining sub-standard bridges on this highway should have first call on anv additional funds becoming available.” the board decided.

It also agreed to a bylaw prohibiting heavy motor-vehicles with tandem axles more than 8500 kg, or equipped with oscillating axles, from using the Waiau Bridge. All discussion on these resolutions, and on a report from the District Commissioner of Works in Christchurch (Mr P. F Reynolds), was taken in committee at the request of the Minister of Works (Mr W. 1 . Young). The Minister gave no reason for his request.

As a result of discussion on the Waiau Bridge and other sub-standard bridges on the Picton-Christchurch road at previous meetings of the board, an inspection of the bridges was made by a sub-committee of the board two months ago. It is believed that this sub-committee found 11 bridges as well as the Waiau Bridge which would soon require weight restrictions. It would cost $250,000 to bring these bridges up to class 1 standard. an interim measure, as they would need to be replaced fairly soon. Because of the importance of the Picton-Christ-church road to inter-island transport and because of the uncertainty of adequate rail and shipping links between Christchurch and the North Island, the board was anxious to restore the road to class 1 status as soon as possible. The board attaches some

importance to this road. Only a month ago it deferred a start on renewing 25 bridges and strengthening a further four in its State Highway estimates for this sear However. Mr Reynold* also asked for extra funds for pavement strengthening

on this road. The board made no recommendation on this, presumably because it should be considered on its merits in competition with similar requests from other parts of New Zealand.

Mr Reynolds is believed to have asked for $200,000 a year for 10 years for this purpose. The worst affected area is a 50 km stretch between Waipara and Tirohanga.

Mr Reynolds said in Christchurch yesterday he had asked for SIM annually for the next 10 years for restoring and maintaining the Christchurch-Picton highway at class 1 status. “For the last five sears we have been receiving $400,000 annually. With inflation, SIM is not a tremendous figure. But this is only one of seven districts, and I do not know the board’s financial condition.”

Mr Reynolds said he hoped construction on a new bridge over the Waiau River could begin in March. "I think it is safe to predict that the new bridge will be completed by Christmas. 1980.” he said.