THAMES-PLAINS BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4402, 12 April 1922, Page 1

THAMES-PLAINS BRIDGE.

WIDER STRUCTURE, £70,000. RATING AREA DEFINITION. Mr F. E. Powell, consulting engineer, wrote -to_ the Hauraki Plains County Council as follows : "With regard to the width of the Kirikiri bridge: Anticipating that there might be a desire to consider a bridge of width sufficient to allow of two vehicles passing at any part, ■ I have computed the probable extra cost of a bridge of similar construction to my design, but with 40ft spans in reinforced concrete, the width between wheelguards to be 18ft. The total cost, of such a bridge, including road approaches and all. other items as detailed in my repoit, I estimate at £70,000. The opening span will, of course, remain at 12ft width between girders.” Mr Powell’s letter further pointed out that for a double-width bridge the Public Worky Department would require 18ft between wheelguards, as 15ft was just too little. Cr, F. Mayn thought the bridge was more of a borough matter than anything else, as it would benefit-the Thames Borough, more than any other community, Cr. J. C. Miller (chairman) thought the narrow bridge would suffice, as the traffic on it would not be large. Cr. Mayn said that if the finance were obainable the broader bridge would be better, as aj fine bridge would be there for all time.. Further discussion'was deferred. DEFINING RATING AREA. Cr. "■Mayn later said there was propaganda making the Kirikiri bridge appea'r to be a county matter. It was time the Council declared itself. He moved that a rating area be defined. Cr. E. R. Whitechurco seconded, and the motion was carried.