THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4800, 21 January 1925, Page 2

THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.

NEff STRUCTURE TO BE ERECTED. ' PROVISION FOR DOUBLE LINE. In connection with the raising of !S the railway bridge over the Ohinemuri River at Paeroa, it may not be generally known that an entirely new bridge is to be erected about 30tt’>--j down-stream from the present structure. The work of driving piles and building the under-structure is to be put in hand early next month, and - when finished this will carry three 60ft span steel girders. The bridge is to be of sufficient widtli to carry two sets of lines, thus allowing the Waihi' train to make a direct entry into the . station yard, instead- of having to wait for the single main line to clear, as at present. The new bridge will be about eight feet higher than the present one, and will be almost on a level with the stop-banks, which should give a muca greater margin of safety in flood time. In its construction no provision has.’; been made for pedestrian traffic, and the existing pathway from the present . bridge to Te Aroha Road will be clos- . ed to all traffic, and trespassers qij£ the bridge and line will be liable tc prosecution. It will be hard to break an old custom, and it might be suggested to the various local bodies that immediate steps be taken to make ;: representations to the department for-; the provision of a footbridge and the right to use ft in connection with construction of the new bridge. If steps are not taken in the direction of the river in that vicinity will have; indicated residents on the left bank to cross over the traffic bridge, near the Criterion Hotel to get into the town.