NEW WHAU BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1019, 9 July 1930, Page 14

NEW WHAU BRIDGE

HARBOUR BOARD WANTS LONGER SPAN NECESSARY FOR CANAL In view of the possibility of a canal being constructed along the present Whau Creek, the Auckland Harbour Board considers that the new bridge to be built at Avondale should have one span of 50ft with overhead clearance of from Sft to 12ft. At a meeting of the Board yesterday afternoon it was reported that the recent Commission had decided on a structure of three spans, two of 25ft and one of 30ft. A report from the engineer, Mr. D. Holderness, continued: “As you are aware, this matter has been discussed on many occasions and the board’s considered opinion has been that in the interests of navigation a permanent structure erected at this site should have one span of 50ft clear width, with Bft clear headroom above high water at spring tides, at the piers, increasing to a minimum of 12ft for the middle 25£t of the span. “Although very little used for navigation at jiresent the Whau must be regarded as of considerable Importance In view of the possibility of a canal being constructed to connect the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours by this route. “The stated minimum clearances for a bridge recommended and adopted by the board have been determined as the result of very full and complete investigations on the development of inland waterways and canals in the Auckland Province, and should the Whau bridge be constructed on the lines now suggested by the contributing bodies it would require to be entirely reconstructed at considerable expense and inconvenience in the event of the canal being built.” This report is to be sent to the Minister of Marine, according to the chairman, Mr. M. H. Wynyard. The hoard had been asked some time ago as to what type of structure should be made and it was only recently that it was suggested that they had acted without authority in giving their views. It might unlimately save the local authorities a considerable sum if the board’s suggestion were carried out, as under the present scheme the whole bridge would have to he rebuilt were tlie canal constructed. Mr. A. M. Laing opposed the engineer’s suggestion. It would be a cruel thing, he said, if local authorities were saddled with an extra £5,000 for the bridge suggested, as the building of the canal was as far away as ever. He alone dissented from the adoption of the report..