MILL SITE FOR TRAFFIC BRIDGE STILL CONSIDERED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 19, 7 August 1950, Page 5

MILL SITE FOR TRAFFIC BRIDGE STILL CONSIDERED

A more favourable view by the Main Highways Board of the board mill site for the new Whakatane traffic bridge was reported to the bi-monthly meeting of the Whakatane Harbour Ikard by the chairman, Mr W. R Boon, on Friday. Previously the Highways Board had favoured a site above the present structure but after meeting a Whakatane deputation had requested plans of the suggested sight by the Whakatane Board Mill. Mr Boon said that he had accompanied a deputation consisting of himself, the Minister of Labour and member for the district, Mr W. Sullivan, and the town clerk, Mr L. D. Lovelock, which had waited on the Minister of Works and later the Main Highways Board. The Board had favoured a sight just up-river from the present bridge but after receiving the deputation had seemed more favourably disposed towards the mill site, Mr Boon said. Jt had requested a plan showing how a bridge near the mill would work in with through traffic in relation to borough subdivisions. . Plans and other information had been prepared and were being forwarded.

“The position now does not seem as bad as it appeared some months ago,” the chairman added. No indication had been given when the bridge was likely to be built, Mr Boon pointed out. The Board had stated that the present structure would probably have to do the district for another 15 years yet.

“This seems strange when it is considered that the bridge was condemned 10 years ago.”

Mr W. Hunter: Something wrong somewhere. Something has slipped. The bridge was obsolete, Mr H. G. Warren contended. The approaches were dangerous and the position was getting worse. A construction company was already in the district building a new bridge at Edgecumbe and it was only economical to engage the company while it was here to build a new bridge for Whakatane. Especially when it was known that the bridge had to come anyway.