WAIROA BRIDGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 7 May 1925, Page 4

WAIROA BRIDGE

HE TOUT I’.Y COUNTY ENGINEER ■ ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE FOR TRAFFIC" NEW STRUCTURE TO HE ERECTED Reporting on the Wairoa. Bridge at Bright water, the County Engineer today stated, inter alia: —‘Tu its present siate I am of opinion that the bridge is absolutely unsafe for traflie of any description, even pedestrian, as from time to time pieces of the decayed timbers break away and fall to the river bed. thus leaving a- hole in the bridge decking. Ait endeavour is made to cover the holes as they appear, but it is a very dilticnlt business, as there are no sound timbers to nail the patchwork to. Ibis bridge, being on the Nelson to Westport main highway is of national importance, besides being of great benefit to the district and travelling public generally. However, in its present state 1 strongly recommend the Council to close the bridge to all traffic until such time as it is repaired, or a- new structure erected. I do not consider placing warning notice hoards on this bridge suitable precautions. At present there are notices staling that persons taking greater loads than two tons over the bridge do so at their own risk. At the present time, loads greater than two tons are being taken over the bridge, and these loads very often are laden passenger "buses. If one of these were to go through the bridge T do not- think there is any doubt that critics would blame the Council, although an accidentmav he caused through no fault of the Council. . . • However, these are

cases which the Council are- more or less morally bound to guard a-gaijnst. 1 have computed tiie cost of repairing the bridge, in Australian hardwood, to be £3IOO. 1 do not recommend other timbers to be used, as the approximate life of such timbers would be front 12 to 15 years. The estimated cost- of /e----placing the present bridge in a- reinforced concrete structure is £BOOO. This is for a- bridge with an 18ft- roadway. I would not- recommend a roadway of legs width at this point of the main highway.

in some further remarks the Enginer pointed out that £2OOO of the loam money had been allotted for the bridge, but- lie doubted whether it would be lawful to expend it on repairs. Cr. Confer: What- would be the life of the bridge if it - was repaired. Tito Engineer: That is hard to say. Probably 10 to 15 years.

Or. Berryman asked how it was that only £2OOO was on the estimates for half cost of the bridge. The Engineer said the stun was tor repairs only. Cr. Berryman considered repairing a bridge in such a state was out of the question. The Council should erect a new bridge. The Chairman : Where is the money coming from? Cr. Berryman: It must come out -«t the loan. Continuing, he said there should ho another scheme for a- bridge loan. There was no other way for it, and he moved that the ( ouneil consider the .matter of raising a loan sufficient to meet- the requirements in the whole county. The chairman said the point- wa~ whether to erect a new bridge or repair the present one. -- Cr. Berryman then moved that a new concrete bridge be erected. ■ Seconded by Cr. Drummond. wlio said the bridge was in the main artery " f Cr.'' Macsmahon highly approved of a new bridge, which should be gone on with at once. There was already £2OOO available, which could be expended in the meantime. If the loan was turned down then it- would have to be completed out of revenue. Cr. Tunnielif'f said be had crossed the bridge on many occasions, audit had been a nightmare to him. He was pleased to -see that the Council was taking a serious view of the matlei, and lie agreed that it should be gone on with at. once. There was no more urgent, work. . ~ Cr. Kenyon quite approved of tin. proposal. The Chairman said the bridge was completely rottenp and made one creep when crossing it.’ Cr. Hewetson favoured a new structure but thought, a straight-out grant should be asked from the GovernmentThe Chairman said half the cost, would be provided by the Alain Highways Board. The motion that a new structure be erected as proposed by the Engineer was put and carried unanimously. It’ was stated that while the bridge wa-s closed traffic would have to be diverted via Appleby. . . Cr. Macmalion said that, considering the report of the Engineer, the bridge should be closed at once to all can traffic. He moved in this direction. itwould be almost criminal to leave it open. ' Seconded and carried. Cr. Kenyon “No.’ ’ _ In answer to the Chairman, the Engineer said lie would advise that. the bridge be closed at once. Cr. Kenyon said that closing _ the bridge would greatly inconvenience traffic, lie was not altogether in favour of closing it at once. People could use it at their own risk. Cr. Drummond said that people could use the railway for the carriage of heavy goods. In'regard to tho proposal bv the Chamber of Commerce that the Railway bridge be used for a traffic bridge as well during the time the new bridge was in course of construction,' Councillors were of opinion that the Railway Department would not ■ sanction the proposal. Cr. Jlevvetson moved that the Engineer should report on the erection of a low level bridge in tlie meantime. The Engineer said it. would probably be 15 months before a new bridge could lie finished.

Cr. Macmahon thought a good ford would serve the purpose. Cr. ITewetson’s motion was seconded by Cr. Kcnvon and carried unanimously. On tiie motion of Cr. Tunnieliff it was resolved that notice boards be erected at certain points notifying that the bridge is closed. LOAN PROPOSAL

Cr. Perryman moved that the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and estimates for all bridges required, including reconstruction, with a view to raising a loan. Seconded by Cr. Drummond and carried unanimously.