KURI CREEK BRIDGE
OPENING CELEBRATION PROGRESSIVE POLICY OF WAITAKI COUNTY The opening of the new Big Kuri Creek bridge on the main DunedinChristchurch highway, near Hampden, took place ■ yesterday afternoon before a large representative gathering, , ineluding the chairman of the Waitaki County Council (Mr J. Rodman) and Mrs Rodman, the Mayor of Oamaru (Mr M. F. Cooney), the Mayor of Hampden (Mr W. Murcott), Mr Evans (representing the Public Works Department), and members of the Waitaki County and Oamarli Borough Councils. The new bridge is an imposing structure. The old bridge is now a relic of tne past, and it is likely that within a short time most of the existing side bridges on the main highways in the South Island will be superseded by more modern structures of concrete and iron, and occupying practically the whole width of the road instead of a few feet on one side. . The new Big Kuri Creek bridge is a definite step in this direction, and adequately demonstrates to the travelling public the progressive policy instituted during the past year by the Waitaki County Council in its efforts to improve the highways and bridges within its domains. The first attempt to cross the Kuri Creek some 40 years ago resluted in a small stock bridge being erected, and a few years later the bridge was lengthened to 67ft and further strengthened to take the weight of small but times gradually chirnged 'and conditions altered to such an extent that some years ago the bridge was further strengthened to allow the passage of service cars. That this onetime stock bridge had a reputation for accidents was only too well known, and reference to its past history was made by the Mayor ot Jrlampden (Mr Murcott) during the official, opening ceremony yesterday, whon ho informed his hearers of a time when a member of a local borough council, in endeavouring to cross the bridge during a flood, was washed out of his conveyance and left hanging on the railing of the bridge until a rescue was effected.' With the ever increasing motor traffic attention was drawn to the inadequacy of the old bridge, and, after repeated requests the Waitaki County Council branched forth on a progressive policy and the decision to erect a modern concrete bridge was favourably received from all quarters. The engineer of ■tho coimty (Mr G. L. Cuthbertson) drew plans for a new bridge; and these being accepted by the Main Highways Board, work was immediately commenced. To-day tire structure is complete, and, being built on modern methods, is 100 ft in length and 24ft wide, thus allowing room for two motor vehicles to puss with ease. The total cost amounted to £1,427 12s 3d, or 11s lid per square foot, and it is interesting to note that the bridge is the cheapest of its kind yet built in the Waitaki County. “ I feel sure that this bridge will be one of the landmarks of the Waitaki County, and with its massive supporting piles of concrete should give service for many generations,” said Mr J. Rodman (chairman of the Waitaki County Council) at the official ceremony. He expressed pleasure at seeing such a large representative gatherings and stated that in view of the progressivp times in which we were living, he considered it only fitting and correct that an official opening should be held. Prior to tho completion of the work criticism had been levelled at the council on account of the massiveness of tho structure, but he thought the increasing traffic on the roads warranted the extra expenditure. The job had been well done and would, he felt, be a great benefit to the travelling public in years to come. Referring to the present policy of tho Main Highways Board, Mr Rodman said be hoped that within a few years all the main highways between Knrtigi. and Gleuavy would be put in order and tar-sealed. The tar-scaling of tho roads had proved advantageous to the farmers and townships, and bad had a great effect on counteracting the dust nuisance—the bugbear of motorists and pedestrians alike. He congratulated the engineer on drawing up the plans for the bridge, and made reference to the good work of the contractor (Mr W. Williams), who, with a competent staff', had pushed the work ahead in . record- time. The approaches bad recently been considerably improved, and the whole presented a great achievement of modern workmanship. “With similar improvements on that stretch of the main highway we shall have a first-class highway from Maheno to TTillgrove,” concluded -Mr Rodman. Mr D. J. Ross, representing the Waitaki County Council, said that the new bridge was situated in the Mocraki Riding, of which he was the member. By its progressive policy the Waitaki County Council Had given much work to many unemployed. He endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker in con-
nection with the work of the engineer and contractor, and stated that the engineer was deserving of the highest praise for his work by reason of the fact that the Waitaki County was one of the largest in the South Island. Mr Evans (representing the Public Works Department) apologised for the absence of the Highways Board’s representative (Mr Ball). He congratulated the council on its progressive policy, and in this connection he felt ho was voicing tho sentiments of the Main Highways Board. The Mayor of Oanmru and the Mayor of Hampden both offered congratulations to the council, on behalf of their respective boroughs. Messrs Cuthbertson (engineer) and Williams (contractor) thanked the speakers for their remarks. The bridge was then officially opened whon Mrs J. Rodman cut the tape and declared it open. All present then adjourned to the residence of Mr Henderson, where they were entertained by Mr • and Mrs J. Rodman. A short toast list was honoured, and all spent a happy time.
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Evening Star, Issue 22146, 28 September 1935, Page 22
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978KURI CREEK BRIDGE Evening Star, Issue 22146, 28 September 1935, Page 22
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