MUTU STREET BRIDGE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3767, 10 June 1936, Page 4

MUTU STREET BRIDGE

PROJECT AGAIN ADVOCATED. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE KEENLY INTERESTED. At the local Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday evening Mr Oliphant brought forward the suggestion that the Borough Council and Waipa County Council should combine to erect a bridge over the Mangahoi stream and making the necessary road from the end of Mutu Street (in the borough) to the Great South Road near “Ngawiro” gateway. He mentioned that some three or four years ago the Chamber created sufficient interest in the project to induce the County Council to acquire the necessary land for the roadway, while the Borough Council owns the southern approach to the new bridge site. He understood the bridge and approaches were estimated to cost about £2500. The new roadway would provide an alternative access to the town, and his idea was tliat Te Awamutu now suffers by the fact that through traffic does not travel a great part of the business area—in fact very many motorists get little idea of Te Awamutu’s business equipment and its beauty. He thought if southbound through traffic came by the new route into Alexandra Street (at the Presbyterian Church corner), and then traversed Alexandra Street, round the post office corner, and thence by the Great South Road to Kihikihi the town as a whole would benefit materially. North bound traffic would, as now, travel by way of the Great South Road, which includes Sloane and Araw.ata Streets. The diversion of traffic would also be an advantage in the years to come, by reducing congestion. Furthermore, traffic coming from the north to the local railway station would find the new road much shorter and more convenient, while similar traffic en route to Kawhia, Kawa West and Pokuru would also benefit.

Continuing, Mr Oliphant said if the local bodies could not induce the Main Highways Board to co-operate, surely the business people of Te Awamutu could prove their bona fldes in recommending that the road and bridge be constructed. He for one, as a property owner in Alexandra Street, was willing to contribute towards the cost, and the rest of the property owners in Alexandra Street could bring the community contribution up to a figure equalling the estimated cost. It was further mentioned that the present is an opportune time for action, for the reconstruction and sealing of the Ohaupo-Green Hill section of the Great South Road is to be undertaken in the coming spring. Mr Oliphant emphasised the point that Alexandra Street has cost Te Awamutu nearly £20,000, and is a really admirable main thoroughfare, a credit to the town by its width, attractiveness and general suitability for all traffic and shopping purposes. It was suggested that a special subcommittee should be set up to furthere the project, even to the extent of obtaining plans and estimates of the cost of bridge and road construction.

In a general discussion Mr Armstrong said there were overwhelming arguments in favour of the project. Mr Bevin thought it may be more advantageous, provided the bridge is erected, to bring the north bound traffic through Alexandra Street. '

It was mentioned that one argument against the project was that traffic coming into Alexandra Street from Mutu Street would come into the traffic on the wrong side of the read; but that would surely be preferable to increasing the congestion in Sloane Street.

One member stated that the plans for reconstruction of the Great South Road between Te Rahu and the borough’s northern boundary provide for leaving the present road near the Mangapiko stream bridge, and thus its alignment would make for a direct run straight to Mutu Street. Members who spoke were definitely in accord, and it was decided to set up a sub-committee to collect data and present the facts in proper form to the public.