MEW SCHEME FOR CLASSIFICATION OF N.Z. HIGHWAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, 14 April 1949, Page 8

MEW SCHEME FOR CLASSIFICATION OF N.Z. HIGHWAYS

Details of the proposed amended scheme for the classification of highways and roads for use by heavy traffic were received at Tuesday’s meeting of the Waitotara County Council from the New Zealand Counties’ Association. Under the proposed amendments there will be three classes of roads. Class one provides for a maximum axle load of eight, tons and a gross load of 30 tons on a multi-axled unit or combination. Class two limits the axled loading to 6i tons on two-axled vehicles; to six tons on units of more than two axles, but to live tons where the axles are closely spaced. The maximum gross load for any combination on a Class two road would be 23 tons. On Class three the maximum axle load would be live tons in the case of two-axled vehicles or where the axles are spaced eight feel oi more apart, and 3i tons where axles are more closely spaced. No vehicle combination on this class of road would be permitted to exceed 16 tons gross weight. The present classification of Class live has been applied only to about 4 per cent, oi’ the rural road mileage and the new proposals do not perpetuate the restrictive loading of such a class. “The position as I see it is that we will have to reclassify our county roads," commented the engineer (Mr. W. I. Gardiner). The majority’ now were class II and some were class 111. Under the new scheme the majority would have to be classed as class 111 as there was lower class. However, the council could place restrictions on its bridges and could place restrictions during the winter months on heavy traffic. "Our roads will now be up in class and they will secure a hammering," he added. He thought the legislation would kill the six-wheeled vehicle. Cr. A. R. Bilinghurst: That is the type of vehicle that is damaging our roads now. “We are fortunate in that we do not get much heavy traffic on our back roads during the winter months,” said Cr. G. W. Crafar. The chairman (Mr. G. Palmer): We will probably have to watch our road classifications more closely now. The engineer said that the roads would have to be brought up to the standard of the classification. The chairman: It cannot be done. The engineer: Eventually it will. Cr. Crafar: You would have a hard job getting my road (Kauarapaoa) up to class HI standard. A counsellor: What is it now? Class 33? It was pointed out that stampeding cattle could do a lot of damage to a bridge.