Street kids- fire could crack bridge

Press, 5 February 1987, Page 6

Street kids- fire could crack bridge

PA Auckland Fires lit by street kids living inside the Mangere bridge could cause it to crack, according to a Ministry of Works senior engineer, Mr Jim Baker. The bridge across the Manukau Harbour has a pedestrian way built underneath the carriageway where youths have been squatting since it opened in 1983. Bundles of high-tensile steel cables line the inside of the bridge which could start to crumble if these cables heated up, Mr Baker said. The police said they were unaware that the bridge had been inhabited

but would investigate the matter. Ministry of Works employees have found evidence of fires and blankets on the flooring. Youths have continually broken down timber walls and roller doors protecting the inside of the bridge. “Our main concern is that the steel pre-stressed cables lining , the bridge will weaken and crack under heat,” Mr Baker said. The Ministry is considering erecting steel doors to keep the youths out It has resorted to halflighting the bridge walkway because of the cost of replacing light bulbs broken by vandals.