THE WAY EAST

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3035, 23 March 1917, Page 6

THE WAY EAST

EASTERN SUBURBS TRAFFIC QUESTION'

IN AND OUT AVENUES

The very live state of the traffic ift Courtenay Place, and the spirit \«iß growth that can be felt in that locality, arc realised by the City authorities. They realise that tho amazing growth of -laiaitai, Kilbirr.io, and: Lyall Iky lias a distinct homing oik Courtenay Place, which is the natural avenue for all the eastern traffic."All vehicular traffic for the suburbs beyond! the Mount Victoria range must travel by .way of Constable Street. The onljj other alternative route is' Oriental Bay, which may serve a bit of Northern!, Ba.taitai, but for other localities over; tho hill that route would not bo favoured, and as there is no advantage? to bo gained from going via Cuba and/ Vivian Streets, practically the whole; of the Oity traffic for Wellington South, as well as the residential areas between the Mount Victoria ridge ana the entrance to the harbour, must usa Courtenay Place and Kent or Cam-' bridge Terrace. Hence the big improvements that are being effected iit. road surfaces in that part of the City. There are three, forms of surfacing being laid down: (1) Ashphalt on a solid concrete foundation; (2) wood-blocks on a concrete foundation ; and (31 obit-' umen surface on top of a; wood-blocle and concrete surface. The whole of one side of Kent Terrace has been, given a surface of bitumen, which, when laid; down in the. proper mannef. and at the right temperature form _a! nerfcct wearing surface. That piece inKent Terrace is the nearest road surface to perfection in Wellington. How, it stands the wear will be carefully, noted in view of ascertaining tho be,?# surface required to suit local conditions. _ .■ _ 1 An improvement in the traffib ar-; rangements in Kent and Cambridao Terrace is contemplated. These: tbor-; oughfares are very busy avenues no.r; but as the suburbs to the east prow,, they are sure to become the vehicular , highway to the east. In view of that)' contingency the City Engineer (Mr. W. . H.. Morton) contemplates recommending that all the south-bound traffic should use Kent Terrace, and the City-bound traffio should bet conducted along Cambridge Terrace in a manner to ensurs that all vehicles in each street should be moving the same way. That principle has been adopted in Sydney, and, is being rigidly enforced. There thei traffic moves only the onp.way along Castlereagh Street, and the opposite way along Pitt Street, an arrangement which facilitates the handling of traffic enormously. ■ -