DANGEROUS BRIDGE

Chronicle (Levin), 29 March 1947, Page 4

DANGEROUS BRIDGE

Improvements At Ohau Long Overdue Despite repeated representations to the Main Highways Board, nothing has yet been done to provide an adequate traffic bridge at Ohau, or improve the existing structure, which constitutes a menace to motorists, During the past 12 months no fewer than nine accidents of a serious nature involving injuries have occurred on this bridge, and doubtless there have been many which have not necessitated a report to the police. On Thursday night another two vehicles collided there, the drivers stating that the greasy surface of the decking had rendered their brakes ineffective. The bridge is 360 feet in length and 13 feet wide — just sufficient space for two light cars to pass. The deck planking. is laid lengthways, and . there are no raised wheel planks or fixtures to eounteract skidding. Experienced drivers are urianimous' that, with a wet surface, braking is ineifective. A light coating of tar and sand could alleviate this trouble to a great extent Until a new two-way bridge is erected. ' The present structure is on a main highway, and the traffic on it is considerable. Admittedly there are warning signs — if anything there are too many signs. Traffic is restricted to 10 miles an fiour. a hotice on the northern approach states that it is a one- way bridge, but the other approach .carries only the legend "Narrow Bridge." Fortunately there has not yet- been a fatality, but, with . winter approaching and an increased number of vehicles on the road, there might well be a tragedy on this bridge. Before commencing on 10-year plans for road construction, the department should pay immediate attention to the replacing of this and many other dangerous and out-dated bridges, which should be no longer permitted to mar the main highways of New Zealand.