HAMILTON BRIDGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 288, 5 December 1929, Page 8

HAMILTON BRIDGES.

. FACILITIES FOR STOCK. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Hamilton is finding difficulty in coping with the traffic in stock across the river. At the Borough Council meeting last evening the Mayor (Mr. J. R. Fow) said at present most of the stock traffic passed through the centre of the town and 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 essential that the meeting should be unanimous in any decision it made. On the motion of Mr. J. E. Tidd 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, The nature of the foundations on each side rendered it an ideal site on which to construct a bridge. However, on account of the velocity of the current it would be advisable to construct a single, span 166 feet in length. A steel truss bridge reinforced with concrete would be advisable. The estimated cost of this work would be £0400. An alternative site wf.s suggested below the -No. 1 bridge. At this point it would be necessary to construct a bridge of five spans of a total length of 480 feet. If foundation tests pmved satisfactory the estimated cost of such a structure would be £14,000. The engineer considered the second proposal . jould he more in accord with the future develo pment oi the Hamilton suburban