CRITERION BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5242, 22 February 1928, Page 3

CRITERION BRIDGE.

STRUCTURE NEARLY COMPLETEDFINISHING TOUCHES IN HAND. - The prolonged spell of dry weather I has been particularly suitable for the work of erecting the Criterion traffic bridge over the Ohinemuri River at Paeroa. A visit to the bridge yesterday morning showed that the whole of the concrete work has been completed and is now ripening. The wheelguards, Which are made of reinforced, concrete, are also finished. Five men are at work applying the second. c°at of paint to the structure, one 60ft and four 30ft spans being finished. In all, the bridge is to be given’four coats of paint, and it is estimated that tlife work will take from three weeks to a month to comx>4)lete. T The water main to supply water from the Waihi Road main to the people on the Te A r oha sidle of the, river is in position, but is not functioning yet. - A start was made this morning with the work of stripping the boxing used for the concrete on the last 60ft span, in readiness, for the painters to get at the steelwork. At each end of the bridge a post and rail fence is to be erected, and’ this, work'is being carried out in conjunction with the placing in position ofhandrails and joists on that portion reserved for pedestrian traffic. The approach to the bridge on the Te Aroha side is well in hanld, and the work is consolidating. In accordance with the general pblificy of the Public Works Department, the bridge will require to stand for about six weeks after completion, after which a ten-ton road roller will be driven backwards and forwards and careful tests made. The first work in connection with the erection of this bridge wafe, commenced during November, 1926. Duflirtg the first few months considerable difficulty was met with in driving the new . piles, and progress was slow. Later the department suspended all work on the structure for about six weeks, but for some- months past there has been no delay and it is hoped to have the bridge open for traffic early in AP r il at the Latest. J, One of the sheds which was erected , on the town side of the stop-bank and did duty as a store-room' anld office was demolished yesterday afternoon. The timber was later packed on to a motor-lorry and taken down to th'e scene of the department’s operations on the Tapu-Coroglen road, where it will he re-erected and utilised as a, coofc house.