THE BAY VIADUCT INTERSECTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19571, 18 August 1933, Page 8

THE BAY VIADUCT INTERSECTION

WELLINGTON OPINION FOUR DOMES REQUIRED The controversy regarding the correct position of the traffic dome at the Bay Viaduct was advanced a stage at a meeting of the committee of the South Canterbury Automobile Association last night when a suggestion for the control of traffic at the particular point was received from Mr T. S. Drake, chief traffic inspector to the Wellington City Council. Mr Drake, to whom a plan of the intersection and correspondence dealing with the matter had been forwarded, suggested that a dome or disc be placed at a point on the centre line of the roadway of each of the four streets entering the intersection area. The committee decided to forward all correspondence and plans dealing with the matter to the Borough Council, with a request that Mr Drake's suggestion be given a trial.

Mr T. S. Drake, chief traffic inspector to the Wellington City Council, wrote stating that he had marked on the intersection plan forwarded to him the positions where in his opinion traffic guiding marks or discs would be suitably placed. He recommended that a dome or disc be placed at a point on the centre line of the roadway of each of the four streets entering the viaduct intersection area. Mr Drake said he did not know all the local traffic conditions or the grades that existed at the intersection, but in view of experience in Wellington of similar intersections that carry traffic of approximately 750 to 1000 vehicles an hour, he suggested the positions of the discs as shown in the plans as worth a trial. They had deleted all centre domes and now marked intersections where marks were required, with painted discs placed in line with the building lines or kerb lines as most suited. A few sketches of some of Wellington’s intersections, showing position of discs, were forwarded. Mr Drake further said that they found in Wellington that by placing the discs as shown on the sketch allowed drivers to comply with the regulations. The Main Highways Board, of which a similar request was made, wrote suggesting that the plan of the intersection forwarded be referred to the Borough Council to indicate the position of the domes thereon. The chairman (Mr J. M. Jenkins) said that evidently the Board did not understand the situation. Mr J. Palliser said that apparently the Wellington City Council had traffic control defined to a fine art. Mr J. H. Don said that in view of the fact that the Borough traffic inspector (Mr C. H. Newcome) had obtained the views of a visiting transport officer on the position of the dome, the Association should do something further in the matter. He moved that the correspondence and plan sent to Wellington by the Association, and the reply and plans received, be forwarded to the Borough Council, with a request that the Wellington suggestion be given a trial. Mr G. A. Bridges, who seconded the motion, said that it was no use the Association discussing the matter further. The motion was carried.