Intersection delay

Press, 24 June 1983, Page 14

Intersection delay

Sir,—Motorists held up for long periods at the intersection of Frankleigh and Barrington Streets have ample time to admire the thousands of dollars worth of reading construction equipment lying idle on the site of the new street deviation. While they contemplate the near anniversary of the commencement of this work, they can wonder, not always in silence, that babies have been conceived and born since the turning of the first sod, proving that new Christchurch citizens are produced more quickly and a great deal more efficiently than a couple of hundred metres of essential new street. — Yours, etc., E. R. RADCLIFFE. June 8, 1983. (Mr H. Surtees, Deputy General Manager (Works), Christchurch City Council, replies: “The formation of the deviation of Frankleigh Street into Barrington Street opposite Milton Street has been a long and complicated project. As the vacant land adjoining the new road will be developed for residential use it has been necessary to install all services through the deviation and undertake considerable alterations to existing services at both the Frankleigh Street and Barrington Street intersections. Work on the site began in mid-October last year when a contractor engaged by the Christchurch Drainage Board commenced installation of sewer and stormwater. This contract was completed before Christmas some two months ahead of schedule. Excavation work for the carriageway began on January 25 and was followed by the commencement of kerb and channel construction on February 16. This was held up shortly afterwards by a problem involving purchase of adjoining property. After this short delay, carriageway construction and the installation of a new water main went on concurrently. This was followed by the installation of Post Office and M.E.D. underground cables. The new carriageway surface was then prepared for sealing but because of weather the actual sealing could not be undertaken until Wednesday, June 15. A small roundabout will now be constructed in Barrington Street at the new intersection and work has begun on the formation of the junction of the deviation with Frankleigh Street When this intersection has been completed and traffic diverted through the deviation, it will be possible to complete the final stage of the project which is to form the cul-de-sac head in the short section of Frankleigh Street which will then be accessed from Barrington Street.”]