FOR MODERN NEEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 58, 6 September 1938, Page 18

FOR MODERN NEEDS

EXPENDITURE DEFENDED

MINISTER'S REPORT

Expenditure on highways construction forms a large part of the total Public Works expenditure, and the Minister, in his annual report presented to Parliament, reviews the need for special activity in that direction. The work being done had been questioned in some quarters, he stated, but he offered no apology for the extensive highway improvement undertaken. "It must be remembered that changes are continually taking place in the design and capacity of motor vehicles, particularly in regard to speed, and, though I do not for a moment suggest that roads should be built to suit maximum speeds of modern vehicles, it is imperative that low-standard roads of inadequate width and dangerous curvature should be made fit and safe for the traffic which uses them," the Minister says. "Although a great deal of progress has been made towards improving a substantial portion of the highways system, it is not yet entirely reconditioned for motor traffic. "Some sections of highway in closelysettled areas were reconstructed several years ago, but today they are carrying such large volumes of traffic that further improvements are required to bring them up to a reasonable standard. As far as possible, present-day improvements are being carried out in such a way as to allow for further traffic development. - v I am bound to remark that most of the criticism is voiced during the period when earthwork is in full swing and before the full effect of the 'proposals is apparent to the inexperienced observer. J have not yet experienced a single instance where, after completion, an improvement work has been held to be unnecessary or unjustified, and this fact in itself is a sufficient answer to that type of criticism. "The activities of the Main High-' ways Board for the past financial year are described in greater detail in its annual report. The report indicates that the total receipts from revenue sources amounted to over £2,600,000, as compared with £2,380,000 for the preceding period. This is the largest sum that has so far been credited to the Main Highways Account by way of revenue from special motor taxation. The total expenditure from the same account for the year ended March 31, 1938, in respect of actual works, as distinct from loan and special charges, amounted to £3,392,000, which exceeds the previous year's figure by almost £1,000,000. More than £2,000,000 was spent last year on reconstruction and improvement works, inclusive, of level railway-crossing eliminations, over £1,000,000 on maintenance, and nearly £140,000 on the renewal of bridges. In addition to the foregoing, interest and loan charges accounted for £338,494, while general rate subsidies paid to local authorities and charged to the account totalled £206,000. The reconstruction programme carried out last year involved the borrowing of £1,676,800 for main highways purposes. CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES. ' "With regard to the replacement of highway bridges, new structures totalling'll,ooo lineal feet were completed during the year, as against 9000 feet during the previous period. The construction of several lengthy bridges is in hand, and in some cases a substantial proportion has been built, but the figures quoted exclude such structures and relate, only to .those .opened to traffic. Progress with the bridge programme has been retarded by delays in the delivery of reinforcing material. "In the matter of improvements, the board reports that reconstruction and widening: were carried out on sections totalling over 330 miles, and metalling was undertaken on lengths aggregating 240 miles. A more favourable paving season than the previous year resulted in approximately 300 miles of initial dustless surfacing being completed. At March 31, 1938, the length of paved highways was some 2400 miles out of a total of approximately 12,100 miles. "The Government's programme for eliminating dangerous railway crossings on main highways was substantially advanced during the past year, during which 35 further crossings were completed, compared with 15 for the previous year. At the close of the year under review work was in progress, or contracts'had been arranged, for eliminating a further 56 of the most urgent crossings. The number of crossing accidents which are reported from time to time shows the necessity for removing these danger spots, and there is no doubt that very much safer conditions now exist where road traffic has been separated from railway traffic by the erection of overbridges or the construction of subways, etc. FINANCING THE WORK. "In connection with the financing of highway work, including State highways, it is interesting to note that, as far as maintenance was concerned, the State provided 87.5 per cent, and local authorities 12.5 per cent. In respect of renewals, the State found 91.1 per cent, and local authorities 8.9 per cent., while the corresponding figures for improvements and construction were 95.8 per cent, and 4.2 per cent, respectively. This indicates the substantial degree of financial assistance which has been extended to local roading authorities and the consequent relief to ratepayers in the matter, of current highways expenditure. "In addition to general improvement and reconstruction carried out on the State highways, which are now under the,immediate jurisdiction of the Main Highways Board, marked progress was made in linking up the paved sections of several arterial routes. For example, the Christchurch-Dunedin State highway has been completely paved with the exception of the Rangitata Deviation which is under construction and well on to completion. Also the State highway from Wellington to New Plymouth is paved throughout except for certain portions which." are being brought up to modern standard. A notable feature of the past year's operations was the improved standard of general maintenance throughout the State highways system as the result of utilising up-to-date plant and equipment under one organisation. The superelevation of curves, the painting of bridges, the erection of white direction posts, and of protective fencing, combined with centre-line marking on pavements, have also contributed largely towards safer conditions, notwithstanding the greater density of traffic on these important connecting routes.

"It is intended to continue these activities and also to extend paving operations, as far as possible, on

heavily trafficked highways, where the dust nuisance creates danger conditions, especially during the holiday season."