Highway change delayed

Press, 22 September 1983, Page 9

Highway change delayed

Wellington reporter The National Roads Board has decided to defer discussion oh a recommendation from Christchurch that the highway route from Lyttelton to Christchurch be changed from Ferry Road to the Opawa Road-Port HH Road route. . More information -'was wanted on the work and

costs involved in reconstructing the Heathcote interchange. The Chief Highways Engineer, Mr E. J. Burt, said the District Roads Council in Christchurch had produced a comprehensive report. This had cogent arguments favouring an eayly change in the routes, but the Ministry of Works’ Reading

Division considered the matter would be better deferred at this stage. Traffic on both routes was about equal and was unlikely to be changed greatly, merely by shifting the highway designation, he said. The most significant item in influencing the route used was the shape of the Heathcote interchange.

For the proposed Opawa Road-Port Hills Road route to function properly as a State highway, this would need to be rebuilt to favour traffic movements, Mr Burt said.

The report from the District Roads Council had not covered the costs involved for woqjk on the interchange, and ttfese were expected to be significant.