ALBUM- Road realignment at Arthurs Pass.

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DescriptionThe Arthurs Pass road was opened to wheeled traffic in 1866 and the Otira Viaduct was first driven over in 1999. In 1970, when I was licensed to drive at the age of 15, the highway had to be forded twice over creeks between Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke corner. It was essential to top up the vehicle’s water and oil before motoring to Christchurch via the zig-zag road over the pass.

Dozens of dead possums always littered the road during the journey over the hill as we called it. There were no speed cameras and most of the road was tar sealed. On one occasion I abandoned my white car halfway up the zig zag during a snow storm because a snow chain slipped off the wheel, rupturing the brake oil pipe. Heavy snow covered the car that night. The next morning the road contractors clearing the pass completely demolished the side of my vehicle as they graded down the zig zag. In 2010, the highway with the Otira Viaduct is an excellent road. The only bad stretch between Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke was straightened by the NZ Transport Agency in 2016.Map^[1]ContributorTony Kokshoorn

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Location (city or town)Arthurs PassEventRoad realignment at Arthurs Pass.

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Category TagRoads

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Date Created31st March 2022

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