BRIDGING IN COUNTIES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 25

BRIDGING IN COUNTIES

Board Approves Programme (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. A three-year programme of bridge renewals for counties, involving the replacement of 11.8 miles of bridging, was approved by the National Roads Board yesterday. “It is heartening to report that we appear to be getting on top of the bridge renewal problem,” said the acting-chairman of the board (Mr P. L. Laing). “We can afford to examine these recommendations in no narrow manner.” The board went over a number of suggestions made by officers, and in several cases increased the recommendations made by district roads boards. One of the many additions to the list was the replacement of the Selwyn river bridge of 800 feeit, at a cost at £70,000. The board decided to proceed with the replacement by a one-way bridge with a passing bay, and agreed to pay a £5 for £1 subsidy because of the size of the bridge.

The three-year programme provides for the renewal of 1231 bridges, of a total length of 32,083 ft (11.8 miles). Included in the total are 892 bridges up to 50ft, 226 between 50ft and 100 ft, T 8 between 100 ft and 200 ft, and 25 bridges over 200 ft. Certain minor adjustments are recommended to bring some .'ounty programmes more into line with Jhe over-all pattern. The programmes approved for South Island reading districts were:

No. 11 district (Awatere, Golden 3ay, Marlborough, Murchison, Waimea and Kenepuru): 57 bridges totalling 3234 feet, costing £257,902, of which the National Roads Board’s share will be £53,900 in 1961-62, £47,440 in 1962-63, and £51,030 in 1963-64. No. 12 district (Buller, Inangahua. Grey and Westland): 40 bridges totalling 2093 feet and costing £173,110, of which the board will pay £46,808 in 1961-62, £42,242 in 1962-63, and £48,533 in 1963-64. No. 13 district (Amuri, Cheviot, Kaikoura and Waipara): 16 bridges totalling 748 feet and costing £69,600, of which the board will pay £12,866 in 1961-62, £17,580 in 1962-63, and £11,500 in 1963-64. No. 14 district (Akaroa, Eyre, Halswell, Kowai, Rangiora, Selwyn and Waimairi) 31 bridges totalling 1728 feet and costing £135,100, of which the board will pay £26,553 in 1961-62, £27,440 in 1962-63, and £25,560 in 1963-4. No. 15 district (Ashburton, Geraldine, Levels, McKenzie, Waimate): 44 bridges totalling 2512 feet and costing £239,850, of which the board will pay £53,721 in 1961-62, £48,825 in 1962-63, and £49.144 in 1963-64.