THE CLUTHA RAILWAY BRIDGE.

Evening Star, Issue 3755, 6 March 1875, Page 2

THE CLUTHA RAILWAY BRIDGE.

Tha bridging of tho Molyneux Piver for railway purposes has now been fairly begun ft will occu iy a site situated down towards the lower end of the river-reach, extending from the main crossing to the river forks at the head of Inch i lutha. The bridge will join the west bank at the point situated near the lower end of the race-course and town reserve, from whence the line will follow a direct course to the site fixed for the permanent station. As will be readily supposed, the erection of this bridge is one of the most extensive undertakings connected with railway construction in this part of the Province. Independent altogether of piers, it will be built in seven spans of 11:0 ft each, making the entire span from bank to bank equal to 840f c. Starting from the outer edge of the railway embankment on the east aide with a atone pier built with wing walls an a stone archway over the district road, it will be carried ®n to a pier at the fopposite side erecte I upon strong piles. The foundation of the first-named abutment will be laid in solid rock, and that on the west side in from three to four feet of cone'■etc masonry. Six pieces of cast iron cylinders are likewise to be employed, two lei nr: used for the erection of each nf the piers. These cylinders, which are seven feet in diameter, are to be sunk until they reach the solid rock, and then filed in with layers of concrete. The bridge rails will be elevated 25ft above the highest flood, and 39ft above ordinary water level The girder, composed of three logs of wood bound together with iron, will be fixed at a height of 20ft above the cylinders. Arrangements ! avi- been made for sinking the cylinders on the pneumatic principle, similar to the mode adopted at the Taieri and Waihola. As yet the operations of the contractors have been confined to the east side, the ionnda tion for the pier at that end having been excava ed, and the stone material carted to and paced upon the ground. The iron and concrete material has also been landed and L •ow in course of preparation for the work The cylinders have also arrived in the Province and are being transmitted to their destination. The requisite plant and applivucon hare ?11 been brought to the ground, and nhe contractor's—Messrs Watson Bros. —are ‘‘anguine of being able to prosecute their labors without serious impediment. Mr R. H. Johnston has b?-.*n placed in charge of the work by the. ■ overum. ot.