Threlkeids Road Closed For Bridge-Building

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30957, 13 January 1966, Page 15

Threlkeids Road Closed For Bridge-Building

To allow reconstruction work on the Threlkeids road bridge across the Cust main drain, Threlkeids road will be closed to all traffic from Monday until the new bridge is completed, probably about Easter. The new’ bridge will be constructed of three curving poured-concrete arches and " ill replace the w’ooden bridge which has stood for many years. Some angular bends from each approach will be reduced. The new- bridge cannot be built until the old bridge has been demolished. The contractors, Messrs G. W. Pearson and Sons, expect to do the demolition next week. Twelve of the 25 sites have already been driven. There is a limit of four months on the construction aid a penalty will be imposed if the bridge is closed for longer. The cost will be fl 1.700. The new bridge will have two piers and the boxing for these has already been prepared. The work is expected to take a little longer than usual because the construction is of arches instead of pre-stressed concrete beams. Because the bridge is curved, the down-stream side of the 26ft carriageway is about 18 inches higher than the up-stream side. The managing director of the company (Mr M .R. Pearson) said he expected to complete the bridge in about three months and a half. The old bridge had been left open during the holiday period for holiday traffic.

Extension of another bridge across the Cust river, on the Swannanoa road, is almost finished. This work is being done by the same company. This bridge is being widened to give a full two-lane carriageway of 24ft. Most of the concrete decking has been poured. It is expected the work will be finished in about a fortnight.