SHANNON BRIDGE APPROACH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3694, 22 September 1927, Page 2

SHANNON BRIDGE APPROACH.

CENTRAL ROUTE CHOSEN,

At a meeting of representatives of the Main Highways Board, Publie Works Department, Foxton and Shannon Borough Councils and Horowhenua County Councils was held in Levin on Tuesday, the question of the approach road to' the new Shannon bridge was considered. Originally three routes were suggested for an approach from Shannon to ..the bridge.

The route favoured by the Public .Works Department was 'No. 3, the road at the south end of the borough of Shannon,.while the Ilorowhenun. County Council supported No. 1 route, on the northern side of the borough. The Shannon Borough Council strongly objected to the latter, and after a lengthy discussion it was unanimously agreed to accept No. 2 route, which approaches from Sheehan street in the borough of Shannon in a straight line to the bridge. No. 1 route lay from the Palmerston North road and railway, half-a-mile on the northern side of Shannon to the bridge, and No. 3 route lay from the'corner of Johnston Street and the present Foxton road at the south end of the borough to the bridge. As a result of further discussion by the conference, the Highways Board will give consideration, which it is expected will be favourable, to the question of easing the financial burden which it was formerly proposed to place upon the Shannon borough, as its share of the liability in connection with the bridge road. The amount involved is said to be about £2400. MATTER BEFORE MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL. At yesterday’s meeting of the , Mnnawatu County Council a letter was received from the Main Highways Board reporting that a conference of the local bodies’ repre- ; sentatives interested was held at Levin on Tuesday, when the particular approach route, hitherto disputed, was finally agreed upon. The estimated cost of construction of this road in the Horowhenua County is £3,948, while the portion in the' Shannon Borough, including a new bridge over the Mangaone stream, is estimated to cost £2,448. At the conference it was suggested that of the latter amount the Highways Board contribute £1,224 (£ for £), Shannon Borough £SOO, and the Horowhenua the balance of £724. The position now therefore is as follows: Estimated cost of bridge and approach £23,662, of which the Main Highways Board shall pay £13,442, leaving £10,220 to be contributed by the local bodies in the following proportions: Shannon Borough Council l-12th not exceeding £BSO, Foxton Borough Council l-12th not exceeding £850; and the balance equally by the Horowhenua and Manawatu County Councils. Provided that in the event of the cost of the bridge exceeding the estimate, two thirds of such excess shall be paid by the Highways Board, and the re- , maining one-third in equal proportions by the Horowhenua and Maim watu, County Councils. ' Regarding the approach road in the Horowhenua County, estimated to cost £3,948, and the one in the Manawatu County estimated to cost . £I,BOO, in each case the Highways Board will contribute 50 per cent, and desires the agreement of the Horowhenua County to contribute the other 50 per cent, with the same condition relating to the Mana-. watu County for the £I,BOO. In the event of the estimates being, exceeded, the Highways Board will provide 50 per cent, of such excess, and tlm ; balance is to be provided by tbo interested local authority. , The County Clerk reported that the Shannon Borough, at its meeting on Tuesday night, had signed an unconditional agreement to the allocations. The following resolution was then carried: — “That the Manawatu County Council agrees to the allocation of the cost of the Manawatu River bridge and approach roads, arql also to the route, plans, specifications and estimates!, and that the chairman and Cr. Hunt be authorised to affLc the seal of the. Council to the foregoing resolution.” In connection with the money to be found for the work, the Chairman reported that the Foxton Borough bad suggested that one local body might raise the whole amount to be found by the four local authorities interested. It was resolved to go into the question and report upon its possibilities.