THE KARAPIRO BRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1698, 24 May 1883, Page 2

THE KARAPIRO BRIDGE.

The contract of Mcosrs Mann and Co. for the earthwork and completion of the approaches to the above bridge, was finished on Monday lasb, and on Tuesday the work was passed by the engineer to the town board, Mr G. F. Hosking, C.E. The bridge, as finished, i3 one of the best of its kind in the North Island, and though much has been said and wiitten agaiust it, and in spite of the many difficulties that have cropped up since its construction was proposed, it will bear comparison with any similar work in point of cost, structure, or otherwise. The total cost has been a little over £1200, of which the material alono cost £900, and for the balance of the building of the bridge, formation of approaches, including about eight thousand yards of earthwork, and eighteen chains of cutting and formation, and eleven chains of fencing has Leen done. The constabulary labour at the commencement materially lesbened the cost, though probably had a contract been let for the job at first, it would have been finished sooner. The bridge stands 31 feet above the Karapiro stream, and is 15 feet higher than the old one, and as they now stand side by side, it is difficult to realise that the old Lridge could have been used for so long a time without some very serious accident happening. The new bridge consists of nine spans, seven of 25 feet, and two of 20 feet, 215 feet in all, and is 14 feet wide on deck. There are R\e stringers, the three centre ones being 14 x 10, and the two outer ones, 14 x 6. The wheel-guards are fixed so as to give a width of twelve feet clear for the traffic road. The hand-rail standards are 5x5, and the top rail of the same dimensions all bolted and strapped together. There are five piers built on 12 x 12 piles, driven 12 fr>efc into the bed of the stream, ami the whole of the material used in the wood-work is best heart of kauri. At present the hand rails only are painted, but the whole of the bridge is to be painted when dry enough. The embankment on the "western side falls to the natural run of the earth, with sheet work diiven 6 feet into the bsf^Vthe river and standing 7 feet out, well stayed back with stays moored into the bank/ There are eleven chains of substantial punri post and rail fencing on tha eastern side, extending three chains beyond the bridge over the 'Waikato, and protecting the most dangerous part of the road. The' gradient on the approaches has been reduced from 1 in 6 to 1 in 11, and 1 in 13, and a very awkward curve has been avoided. To thoroughly complete a good job it will be necessary to tap a couple of springs which have made their appearance in the approach on th« western side, and to put a number 1 of loads of gravel on the crown of the road, or it will be in a wretched state when the wet weather sets in. A fence should b» erected for a short distance on the higher aide of the eastern approach, and a chain or so of fence or a couple of wings to the western. The approaches have been made a foot higher than the bridge by the engineer, and though this may incommode the fastidious for a little while by the clay being trodden over the' bridge, the day is not far off when the "embankment will settle to the level of the bridge, perhaps below it. The whole of the work has been done from the designs, and under the, superintendance of Mr G. F. Ho3king, 0.E., the engineer to the board, and is a credit to him, and the' board during .whose term of torm of office itha,a been undertaken, a^d, completed,