New Suspension Bridge

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 7, 1 March 1917, Page 906

New Suspension Bridge

Upper Hutt, Wellington A new bridge has recently been completed across the Upper Hutt river at Maori Bank, Haukaratu Estate, which is illustrated on this page. The bridge

was designed by Mr. J. Dawson of Pahiatua, and was built for Messrs Whiteman and Cottle property owners in the district.

The bridge is of ferro-concerte construction. 120 feet long. On either bank are two white painted towers of reinforced concrete and connected together by means of a graceful arch. On top of the towers are massive iron castings with twelve iron wheels on each tower to support the cables. The anchor rods are 16 in number of 2-in. iron, connected to the anchors with large iron washers. The eight cables have each a breaking strain of 75 tons, or a total strain of 600 tons. There are 62 suspension rods, attached to the cables with reinforced concrete clips at intervals of five feet. The girders are of trussed railway iron, spaced at five feet centres, with curved corrugated iron between to support the concrete flooring. The total weight of the bridge on

the cables is 50 tons. The finished cost of the whole structure is in the vicinity of £1,400.

» 7 At the opening ceremony Mr J. P. Lube, Mayor of Wellington said that as a professional engineer he had thoroughly inspected the bridge, and, in his opinion, it was one of the best examples of suspen-

sion bridge architecture he had seen in New Zealand. It was strong and well-finished, and he took this opportunity of congratulating Mr, Dawson on his latest achievement.