GRAFTON BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 6

GRAFTON BRIDGE.

IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED. (To the Editor.) Undoubtedly Grafton Bridge in its present form or state "is not 100 per cent perfect for both vehicular aud pedestrian traffic. There is no protection from being ri\n down or from being splashed with mud and water by pasein«- vehicles. Providing that the superstructure is strong enoug-h to the. extra weight of the alterations and the extra traffic, wfoich it would be capable, of carrying, I think that the conditions could be improved upon. ■My idea is that the whole of the present width of the bridge be used for vehicular traffic and that footpaths be carried under the present road level. I have viewed the the approaches at both ends, and there seems to be no difficulty in carrying'out this idea. A one-way traffic law should or could be enforced, and congestion thus avoided. If it was thought desirable that pedestrians should be able to emerge on to the main pathway on the side of tho bridge which they desired without having to cross at the main road level, this could be carried out : by having a chamber or passageway at both ends of the bridge at the new footway leveL The footways should be enclosed so that it would be impossible for anyone to fall off while crossing. Joists or girders could be laid upon the present 'bridgeMieck to the full overall width and the lower or new pathway suspended from them. Also, if the steel droppere were extended above the road level to the height of the present concrete railing it would provide a protection strong enough to prevent any vehicle from breaking through in the event of a skid or collision. Of course an overhead structure could be built, but it would perhaps spoil the effect and also be more costly. ARTHUR H. CRANWELL.