Milford Road proposals studied

Press, 15 May 1981, Page 13

Milford Road proposals studied

Slowly — too slowly for some people — measures are underway to assess and counteract avalanches along one of the country’s most popular scenic routes, the Milford Road. An overseas expert was brought in late last winter to look at the road. Although it has taken six months to publish his report, the National Roads Board is now considering its seven main recommendations. ■ The Ministry of Works has been ’ worried about avalanches on the road for many years. Last September,

it brought over Dr P. A. Schaerer of the National Research Council of Canada. He visited the site with members of the Mountain Safety Council and Dr B. B. Fitzharris, of the University of Otago. Armed with Dr Fitzharris’s report on avalanche paths, Dr Schaerer suggested that a reasonable goal to aim for on the Milford Road might be several two- or

three-day closures a year, seven days once a year, and three weeks once in 10 years. The greatest danger is suffered by maintenance personnel because of the time they spend working in avalanche paths. With this in mind, Dr Schaerer made seven recommendations:— 1. Use of traffic signs to prevent vehicles stopping in avalanche paths.

2. Closing the road during hazardous times. 3. Implementing safety measures for road maintenance crews. 4. Daily evaluation of snow stability and an improvement in forecasting avalanche hazards by establishing a high level weather recording station on the ridge above the Homer Tunnel. 5. Bombing of avalanche

paths to release loose snow. 6. Provision of an earth deflector on the run-out zones of some avalanche paths. 7. Study of the feasibility of a snow’shed or retarder at the eastern portal of the Homer Tunnel. The National Roads Board was particularly keen on proposals for a high level weather station. This would help decide whether to allow

men in to clear snow without putting their lives in danger from possible avalanches. It is expected to cost less than $50,000 to install. Dr Schaerer felt that by better forecasting, placing of plant,. and use of vehicle convoys, the length of time in which the road stayed ooen could be increased.

There have not yet been any investigations into the use of bombing of avalanche starting areas or earth deflectors. Having a snow shed at the Homer Tunnel would be very costly as a safety measure, according to the Ministry of Works chief highways engineer (Mr E. J. Burt). An alternative route for vehicles which bypassed the danger area of the large avalanches above the Homer Tunnel east portal was being investigated.

By

OLIVER RIDDELL