THE NGATEA BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5387, 13 February 1929, Page 2

THE NGATEA BRIDGE.

REPAIRS QUICKLY EFFECTED.

OTHER AVORK NECESSARY.

The repairs to the hoisting machinery of the Pia.ko River bridge at Ngatea were completed late on l Friday afternoon, and .at 6 p.tn. the lift-; ing span was raised ami lowerejl for the first time since the recent mishap. The Work was in the hands of Messrs. Chas. Judd and Sons, Thames, and was carried tolt very quickly, considering that nevz cogwheels for the winch had to be made, ft was found that the; breaking of the overhead shaft had been due to the seizing of a bearing. Although the diameter of the sliaft was four inches, it had been turned down to three inches at the bearings, where the greatest strength wa.s needed. The new’ shaft 'has a four-inch, diameter throughout. One of the most difficult jobs was to raise the 7%-ton counterweight, but this was quickly 'accomplished by tis,ing thq, engine and hoisting, winch in conjunction with wire ropqs and pulleys. The mishap to the bridge has drawn attention to the state of the timber in the whole structure, and it is evident that certain beams will have to be replaced before long. The ma,in pilejw which carry’ the weight of the lifting span, are gradually sinking, w’ith the result that the super-struc-ture is being forced outward. This causes the lifting span to jamb, and at intervals part has to be cut away to enable the bridge to be closed pfoper;ly.