MAIN HIGHWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 6

MAIN HIGHWAYS

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS SAFETY OF ROAD USERS ELIMINATION OF LEVEL CROSSINGS The progress which is being made in the direction of improving the standard of main highways throughout the Dominion was reviewed by the Minister of Public Works, Mr R. Semple, in the course of his annual Statement, which was tabled in the House of Representatives last night. The past financial year, he said, was a record year of activity since the main highways system was introduced some 13 years ago. During the financial year just past, the Minister said, the amount of traffic on main highways showed further increase. The consumption of motor spirits was very much greater than for any previous year, and, in addition, the registrations of motor vehicles reached peak figures since the advent of this form of transport. If any further justification for major improvements to our highways were needed, it is surely to be found in these factors. Finance The report of the Main Highways Board for the period now under review.' Mr Semple continues, shows that the total receipts from revenue ex ceeded £2,300,000. which is a record to date, and that the total expenditure from the Main Highways Account for the year ended March 31, 1937. on actual work, as distinct from' lean and special charges, amounted to £2,400,000 which is almost £BOO,OOO more than was expended on similar works during the previous year. Nearly £1,400,000 was spent last yeai on reconstruction and improvements including the elimination of level railway crossings. £900,000 on maintenance, and £106,000 on the replacement of bridges. In addition to the foregoing, interest and loan charges accounted for £307.516. while general rate subsidies, which are paid from the Main Highways Account, totalled £195,000. The programme carried through last year involved the borrowing of £853.500 for main highway purposes. In order to provide finance for the current year's activities, it is proposed to allocate approximately £1,200,000 for maintenance purposes and £2,600,000 for improvements and reconstruction. Of this latter sum, it is anticipated that £500,000 will be absorbed in the elimination of dangerous railway level crossings. A further sum of approximately £230,000 is being proposed for expenditure this year on the replacement of highway bridges.

The extent to which main highways operations are financed by the State is shown by the fact that during the past year approximately 94 per cent, of the cost of improvements and renewals was paid from the Main Highways Account, compared with 6 per cent, contributed by local authorities. With regard to maintenance, 82 per cent, was provided from public funds and 18 per cent, by local authorities. Dustless Surfacing As the arterial highways are reconstructed to modern width and curvature, it is the policy to pave those sections which are heavily trafficked. The last paving season was. characterised by unfavourable, conditions due to the prevailing wet weather, but, notwithstanding adverse circumstances, 254 miles of dustless surfacing were completed, as compared with 277 miles during the preceding year. At March 31, 1937, the total length of paved highways was 2127 miles, which is 17.6 per cent, of the whol» main highways system. Since the inauguration of the State highways system, the board has concentrated on the arterial routes, and in the early future it is anticipated ' that a number of metalled sections will be paved, thereby providing continuous paving throughout substantial lengths. Railway Crossings Satisfactory progress has been made with the major programme initiated by the Government last year for the elimination of. railway level crossings, and, although completed projects number only 15, work is in progress and contracts have been already arranged for a further 67. Detailed proposals for an additional 64 schemes are completed or in hand preparatory to the commencement of work. The removal of this source of danger from our highways will undoubtedly result in the prevention of many accidents. It must be borne in mind that a feature of railway crossing accidents is the loss of life, and that every crossing "eliminated means the removal of a potential death trap. Safety of the Roads Referring to the special campaign which has been initiated for the promotion of safety on the roads, the Minister says he is confident that, in certain directions, a higher average standard of driving can be obtained if suitable measures are provided for , the warning and protection of motor drivers. With this objective he has conferred with the Main Highways Board on matters arising from the suggestions made by the New Zealand Road Safety Council. Arrangements aro in hand for the board to devote particular attention to centre-line marking of pavements, so as conveniently to divide traffic. The adequate super-elevation of curves is being carried out progressively, and already improvements have been made in this direction. In order to indicate the existence of bends, especially to night drivers, warning posts and whitepainted fences are being provided, while bridges are also being painted in such a way as readily to arrest the attention of a driver.

"I can say that the Main Highways Board is fully alive to the possibilities for making our main highways safer, and will continue improvement works in furtherance of the present policy." the Minister concludes.