HAMILTON BRIDGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 6

HAMILTON BRIDGES

PROBLEM OF STOCK TRAFFIC ENGINEER SUBMITS SCHEMES Prom Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. The problem of coping with stock traffic across the Waikato River was discussed at the meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last evening, when proposals for stock bridges were considered. The Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, said the stock traffic imposed a greater strain upon the existing bridge than it was constructed to stand. The question arose whether it would be advisable for economic reasons to postpone the major bridge scheme the council had under consideration, and proceed with the construction of a stock bridge. It was decided to send a copy of the report on the proposed bridges prepared by the engineer, Mr. R. Worley, to the Waipa and Waikato County Councils, and that the, county councils should be asked to meet members of the Borough Council and confer with them on the subject. In a report on. the site proposed for the bridge near the Hamilton East cemetery, the engineer stated that the Waikato River at this point was very narrow in comparison with other portions in the vicinity of Hamilton. On account of the velocity of• the current it would be advisable to construct a single span 166‘ft in length. The estimated cost of this work would be £6,400.

An alternative site was suggested below the No. 1 bridge. At this point it would bo necessary to construct a bridge of live spans of a total length of 480 ft. If foundation tests proved satisfactory the estimated cost of such a structure would be £14,000. The engineer considered the second proposal would be more in accord with the future development of the Hamilton suburban area.