Pass road out for fortnight?

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 3

Pass road out for fortnight?

Ordinary traffic might not be able to use Arthur’s Pass for more than two weeks, said the Ministry of Works and Development yesterday. “It could be even longer than that: We are still trying to assess the situation on the Otira side.” said the Ministry’s district highways engineer in Christchurch (Mr R. D. Odams). The damage to State highway 73 on both sides of the pass was probably the worst since the big floods of 1957. Repair gangs were working at full stretch yesterday

on more than 30 slips and washouts caused by Sunday night’s torrential rain. By last evening bulldozers had carved a rough track to Arthur’s Pass from the Canterbury side. “This should allow the 20 cars trapped there to get out! but otherwise it will be used for emergency access only,” said Mr Odams. Some of the trapped motorists had stayed at Arthur’s Pass after the storm but most had travelled out to Greymouth by railcar. One worst problems

i facing repair gangs on the; ’ Canterbury side of the pass was a huge washout more than 20m long and 18m ■ deep. “There are several other big washouts and we have i lost a number of bridge approaches.” said Mr Odams. I “It will be several days ’ before we have an adequate; road even on the Canterbury; I side.” " | Odams said the damage onj . the West Coast side was ; much worse. The Lewis Pass was open i.yesteij|ay but motorists had

to use a ford to cross Rough Creek, where engineers are! replacing a Bailey bridge' that was swept away on Sunday night. The Mount White bridge will also be out of action for I several weeks after two spans were carried away. Mr Odams said the rain had caused huge problems [on the Haast highway. Re-1 I pairs were expected to take [up to a week. I The railway link between Canterbury and the West Coast was still £>ut last

i evening as repair gangs ,i worked to fill in a big wash’|out at Halpins Creek, be- ! tween the Bealey rail bridge; and Arthur’s Pass, which left a section of track suspended in mid-air. The line is expected to be reopened late today. The district engineer of ; the Railways Department in ■ ; Christchurch (Mr W. W. ! Dudding) said the line on the West Coast side of Ar- . thur’s Pass had escaped : damage.