ROEBUCK ROAD BRIDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2203, 5 October 1907, Page 2

ROEBUCK ROAD BRIDGE.

A AVELL-BUILT STRUCTURE

Tlio now bridge over tho Taruheru River at Roebuck Road is now nearing completion, and, being tho forerunner of this kind of structure in Gisborno, is of particular interest. Though not built entirely of stool — tlio .stool girders and other _ framework being laid on wooden piles, and tlio floor being of hardwood —the bridgo differs materially from the other structures. It is of more graceful design than the Kaiti and Taruheru bridges; while lacking euimborsomeness it lias the strength necessary for heavy traffic, and on tlio score of durability should answer satisfactorily. Now that steel bridges aro ousting the old stylo in favor with municipal and public bodies, tlio Roebuck ltoad structure will bo closelv scrutinised.

T.ho bridge is to provide communication, both vehicular and pedestrian, between Roebuck Road on the town side and W.i Pore-street, leading to Whataupoko’s principal thoroughfares. For many years the lack of such connection has been a severe handicap to that end of the borough, all vehicular traffic having to make the long detour round by Taruheru bridge. The new struoturo will thuf bo groeitly appreciated for giving improved means of access, besides relieving Taruheru bridge of a considerable amount of heavy traffic. It will certainly be most popular with all having a_n interest in that portion of Whatuupoko. Though at low water the Taruheru River presents only a narrow channel, encompassed on each side with mud-banks, the conformation of the river bed requires the bridge having a span of 378ftt overall. When the tide is out the bridge looks more like an aqueduct, so high does it appear to rise above the surface of the river, but with high water there ie only a margin of 14ft Gin between the floor of the bridge and the Taruheru. One its struck with the number of piles and supports visible in the understructure, the whole giving the work a solid and strong appearanco, despite that the steel superstructure itself looks light after the big wooden beams and crosspieces we havo grown accustomed to witnessing. l Approached on each side by a road of good grade, the bridge creates. a favorable . imprecision as to design and construction. For its length, it has a very fair width that should be amplo for all requirements. The width of roadway for vehicular traffic is 18ft 6in, commodious enougl for two conveyances abreast, and or one side is tlio railed-in footpath, sft wide, for the use of foot passengers The bridgo is effectively surmounted on each side with- a neat lattice railing of steel, -ifit in height above the decking. There are 12 bays in the bridge each with a span of 23ft Gin, and close to the Wlb-ataupoko side, where the river channel is located, there ii a clear space of 28ft Gin reserved foi the passage of vessels. At this point of the bridge’s length is the most interesting feature of it, from a me ehanical point of view, viz., the lifi span, required for the passage of vessels. The lift is on the Baculc principle, worked with levers and counterweights, and is expected tc prove very satisfactory on the fey occasions its use will be necessary. Tho total height of the lift, which raises the span straight up, is 35ft 3ih. The decking is strongly laid, and the weight-carrying capacity of the bridge generally is equal to 5 tons on a single axle. Tbo bridge was supplied in sections by tlio American Bridgo Co., in conformity with particulars furnished by the County Engineer, Mr. De G. Fraser. Some preliminary difficulty with tlie Murine Department was successfully surmounted through the efforts of the Borough Engineer, who, though arriving l-ato on the scene, has supervised tbo erection of the bridge throughout. The contract for construction was £2702 14s, Messrs. P. McLaughlin and Co. carrying out tho work. i

A good deal of filling and formation work is necessary to complete •the approaches, there being a strong breastwork on each side of the bridge, which will add stability to the finished structure. The formation contract alone rail info £485 Ids Bd,

The . workmanship lias been excellent throughout, and when the ceremony of opening the bridge is performed there can bo nothing but congratulatory remarks on the initiation and carrying through of a much-needed work.