CLARENCE BRIDGE

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18308, 16 February 1925, Page 8

CLARENCE BRIDGE

PfcOGRESS OS THE WORK.

.TO BE COMPLETED IN JULY.

(srscUL to "rra *a«ss.")

KAIKOUkA, February 14. A representative of "The Press" paid a visit to the Clarence bridge yesterdav, to ascertain the position of the 'work and when the bridge may be expected to be reopened for traffic. At first glance there docs not appear to be a big staff on the job, btit It must be remembered that three shifts arc being worked, and that most of the men are hidden from view mside the immense cylinders.

There are three Sets of cylinders, six in all, each of which has a dianilater-of seven feet, and a length of 44ft below ground level, the cylinders being constructed of reinforced concrete, i-inch, 1-inch and 14-lrich rods, the mixture being what is known as 1, 3, and 3—one of cement, two of sand, and tbreo of shingle. The .method of construction is by sinking, air being pumped into the cylinders to keep the water back whiljj the men engaged remove the material from underneath. Should a littge boulder bo encountered at the edge of the cylinder, it has to bo drilled and broken up before it can be hoisted to the surface, explosives being out of tho question. The cylinders then follow An air-tight winch is attached to the air lock, which is used in connexion with the removal of material. The air lockis bolted on to the concrete cylinders and made air-tight, there being two chutes brdught into operatiou for the ejectment of material hoisted up from tile bottom. Two men are engaged at the bottom of tho cylinder and one at the air lock, tho former having a oft 4in clearance to work ih. Two men are engaged at the winch to haul up the material, and ohe man is engaged at the chute.

There are three shifts, so that a good number of men are employed* although they afo not visible at the one time. Other men are engaged at concrete mixing, preparing timber, hauling sand and shingle, etc. AU are camped out of sight of the road, so that the casual observer sees little life at the s"ite.

Probable Date Of Opening. The final set of cylinders is now beiilg worked 6n, this set c&usiftg iho difficulty in sinking, although greater difficulty wfls eiperloticed in placing thenl in pbsitibn, owing to the cylinders being in a fast-running Strealfi. While looking round, it wa§ observed that most 6f the top hamper had been predated in feadiiies'S for plading in position once the cylinders were completed. Appearances indicate that the work will be complete within the time estimated by the Inspector of Works, as all work above ground level is advancing eipeditiotislyi The bridge may bo cipected to be opened for traffic before the end of July, 1925. There are three spans of 112 ft each, making a length of 336 ft, and connect up with the standing portion of the bridge; Mr do Malmanclie appears to live on the work, and was busy, froni 4 a.m., all work,being set out prior to the gangs going oft. Last ihoiith 2500 passeiigers > wdfe takeA across in . the piirtt> 405 ' cart, 12,660 sheep, 160 motor-cycles, find 180 Hbrses and carts, although the: punt wag out of action for two days. It might also be mentioned that Mr Ci Nilsen, the fferrymanj has had One day otf in twenty months, .and he is available at ail hours* notwithstanding his hours arß supposed to be from 8 to 5.

Condition of Main ftoadi . The *6aa front &aik6iira t6 th' 6 CIaJS etice bridge ijs In, fair ofßor So fat ad the running surface' 18 cdncerhed, but tU Hapuktt approach is casing C6iicefn. Tfcer6 are Several sea erosions Which heed urgent attention, a vefy dangCroiis pbint beihg oh the Climb a ; f6s chsMs' Sotlth of tho Slack Miller CJfeeK. The sand drift at Harris's hdin&stead is also a darigerdUB 1 point foi motor-cars. If early attehtibn is iibi given t6. the road at the" pints Wheie the heavy seai have caused efosibri, it Will be, a cdfitly itiattef for the fitlghways Bbard and the County Ooiihcii td the damage. THe difficulty at Hapukii river :is Draught about by the fact that, the Ptihi Ptihi and Hapiikii conttiiie tnis fldint 6f tiie river. Two eitib sjJahs to the bridge seeni'to be the only "way to Overdoing tiie present difncuitj\ Grates and enibankmehts 1 may* f>6 constructed) tout they cannot withstand the! force of the niotintaiii tofrchts. ft is a pity that a coiif'efenfie Cannot be arranged betwcCii thb Public Works department aiid the CoUncii, to settle oh sbm6 plan that Will fjrovg permanent bo far as this fiver is concerned, >;. .