THE NEW MANAWATU BRIDGE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 511, 19 May 1909, Page 8

THE NEW MANAWATU BRIDGE.

• /XSHOET. DESCRIPTION. Dll MUQBAPn—BFKCUt, COKRKarOHOBST.I .' ' !,: Palmerston, North, May 18.vThe Gorge Bridge at Ashhurst, which: was passed by Mr. Nathan, Government Engineer, ,on Friday,- stands on stcol cylinders filled with concrete sunk from 40 to 50 feet below the river bed; It is a truss bridge of seven spans, each .147' feet in' length. The roadway is twelve feet wide, and stands about thirty foot above the ordinary level of the. river. The deagn of tho structure was supplied by the Government Eoads Department, and Mr.H. J. Hayns'has been the engineer in chargo, the.oontract prico being £18,853. When .the contract'was let it was stipulated that it should bo finished by September 8, .1908, but much delay has boon caused in ob.taicdng tho iron work in tho Dominion. There is some protective work yet to bo dona at eaoh end of the bridge, and, consequently, the total'cost'will be much higher than the. amount stated. It is now open to traffic, however, though the ceremonial opening will not take placo until next month. Mr. Q. ,Wheefer (chairman of the Oroua County Council) went down to see. the work lost week, and ho has decided to invito, his Excellency the Governor to perform tho opening ceremony on Juno 2 or 9, or to fix other date if neither of those is convenient.