FIJI'S NEW BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 19

FIJI'S NEW BRIDGE.

AN IMPOSING STRUCTURE. TO BE OPENED IN 1937. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SUVA, June 10. The imposing bridge which is being erected oyer the Rewa River and which will form an important link in the round-the-island tourist road is already attracting much attention, and some details of the work may be interesting to people in New Zealand who have crossed this noble river. The bridge is 12C0 feet long with a roadway 18 feet wide and a footway of five feet. While the depth from road level to high water level is generally 20 feet, some of the piers have their foundations down as much as 106 feet owing to the soft bottom in places. The- bridge consists of three 00 feet girder spans and nine, 120 feet steel truss spans, carried on reinforced cylinders founded well below any damage or scour. It is tho. first time that sinking has been done in the colony with compressed air.

The total cost of the work, including approaches, .will be about £75,000, or about £04 per lineal foot. The steel work was erected by the cantilever method, which proved most satisfactory. The bridge will be <ipen for traffic during 1937. It will be a distinct credit to. Fiji and a very important link in the comfort to tourists which the new road will offer.