SAFELY THROUGH TUNNEL

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 3

SAFELY THROUGH TUNNEL

A ramp linkspan for the Lyttelton-Auckland drive-on shipping service is now resting on the western end of

the Gladstone pier. It came through the road tunnel early yesterday morning. The linkspan weighs 54 tons and is 80ft long and 24ft 2in wide. The tunnel is only 26ft wide at road level. According to the tunnel superintendent (Mr W. A. Wheldale) ail went smoothly as a result of cooperation by the manufacturers, contractors, traffic officers and tunnel road authority staff. Moving at walking pace, the linkspan left Brisbane street, Sydenham, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, on a five-axled articulated truck at the front and two separate three-axled bogies at the rear. It arrived at the toll plaza at 7.46 p.m., where it waited until 1 o’clock yesterday morning before moving through the tunnel.

The tunnel was closed until the linkspan arrived at the Lyttelton portal a few minutes before 3 a.m. The load was then backed all the way to the head of Gladstone pier because this was easier than making a turn at the portal. It came to rest at 5.30 a.m., and was picked up again by the floating crane Rapaki at 9.15 a.m. By 10 a.m. it was landed on the pier. The linkspan will be shipped into position late this year, in time for the opening of the new service. There was no hitch because light bollards and sign posts at the portals were designed and positioned to allow the maximum use of the tunnel. The fittings were collapsible, said Mr Wheldale. The picture show* the linkspan being guided through the Lyttelton road tunnel.