THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 17 May 1927, Page 2

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

QUESTION OF APPROACH ROUTE. FURTHER CONSIDERATION* BY DEPARTMENT DESIRED. In reply to a request by the Ilorowlienua County Council, estimates were received from the Public Works Department, on Saturday, for the approach roads to the Manawatu river bridge near Shannon, the construction of which has been authorised by the Government at an estimated total cost (including the right bank and left bank bridge approaches) of £23,822. This sum was apportioned as follows:- £ Highways Board ........ -13,562 Manawatu County ... . 4880 Horowhenua County ...... 4280 Foxton Borough : 850 Shannon Borough ... v 850 The'estimate of cost for the formation of the Manawatu County road approach was £2700 and for the Horowhenua County road approach £5400, according to information supplied to the previous meeting of* the Council by the District Engineer, who also stated that he desired to have an assurance fi;om the Council that a contribution on a £ for £ basis would be made on the approach road 1 - .. . The alternative proposed routes leading to the bridge site were:— No 1. .From the Palmerston Road and Railway on the north side of Shannon . ",

No 2. From Sheehan Street, in Shannon.

No 3. — From the coi-ner of Johnston Street and the present Foxton road, at the south end of the borough. The route upon which the estimate of £5400 was based was understood to be No. 3.

At the last meeting of the Council, the proposals were referred back to the District Engineer with a request for information as to how the estimate of cost of- the approach road was'arrived at. This came to hand at the' meeting on Saturday, but as it was stated by the Chairman to be subject to revision, the figures were not given out for publication. , The Chairman stated that there would be very little difference in the cost of the three routes'when the roads were brought'^out of flood-water level. There was some difference of opinion as to why No. 3 route was selected, and he had had num'erous requests that the question of youtes be again opened and taken up with the Public Works Department. He felt that this would be as 1 well, taking every circumstance Into consideration and the estimated costs of the different routes. The Public Works engineer would probably visit the site in a few days and would report again. They had been led ,to believe that the Railway Department opposed a level crossing; but there was no more' dangerous crossing than that a few chains south of Shannon. If the latter could be closed and the new one opened, it would be an improvement and give better access. There would be opposition from Shannon; but the Council had to consider the future, and if No.l route was the. .best, it was the bounden duty of the County to adopt After investigating the matter, apart from viewing the various sites, he felt that the matter might well be re-opened and various points taken into consideration. The County ' Engineer (Mr Anderson) suggested making a definite move now and asking the Department to re-open the matter and review it. ' The Chairman then moved that the Department be asked to review the whole position in regard to the approach load to the proposed Manawatu bridge. The motion was seconded by Cr. MeLeavey. y Cr, Barber: Do they give the' various, lengths? > The Chairman: Yes—No. 1 route, 70odd Chains (36 chains to be made up); No. 2, 70 chains; No. 3, 100 chains. Cr. Barber: 'On what basis does the County come in? The Chairman: Pound for pound they have asked for. We Have not made any provision in the highways scheme. It is on the same basis as in our present highway. This is a major deviation, and they would probably give a greater subsidy if the matter was taken up. Cr. Barber:* Has there been any allocation as a main highway that has to •be deleted and re-considered. The Chairman: As soon as they have decided on this, they will constitute it a highway. I think the route has to be decided first.

The engineer: The old road is the fazetted highway. This will be a deviation.

The Chairman’s motion was carried

The Public Works Department alsr forvyarded a copy of the Gazette notice of February 3rd in connection with the application of tile provisions of section 119 of the Public Works Act, 1908, to the Manawatu river bridge (Shannon Foxton Highway). The clerk (Mr. Hudson) explained that this would probably necessitate a commission being appointed to deal with the assessments of contributions," in the event of the loeal bodies nos agreeing. The Department would submit plans to the various local bodies. The letter was received.