NEW PAHIATUA BRIDGE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 293, 6 September 1932, Page 10

NEW PAHIATUA BRIDGE

Work to be Expedited OLD STRUCTURE DAMAGED Dominion Special Service. Pahiatua, September 5. On the recommendation of the consulting engineers, Messrs. Seaton, Sladden, and Pavitt, the Pahiatua County Council has decided to expedite the work of constructing a new town traffic bridge, instead flf repairing the old structure which was damaged by the recent flood in the Mangahao River. It is anticipated that the bridge will be open for traffic early in December. The engineers in their report stated that repairs to the damaged structure were not feasible except at a large cost. The proposal to expedite the completion of the remaining four spans of the new bridge had been discussed with the contractors, and it was considered that the bridge could be completed in about two and a half mouths _at an estimated additional cost of £267. The engineers also stated that the scouring away of the old groyne protection at the abutment of the new bridge had made it, necessary to construct a revetment of driven rails with willow fascines behind. An estimate of £9l for carrying out this work had been received. These two quotations had been submitted to the district engineer, Public Works Department, and authority, had been given to expend sums up to £267 and £9l as an addition to the bridge contract price at a subsidy of £3 for £l. On this basis the cost that would devolve upon Pahiatua County and Pahiatua Borough was £44/15/- each. The chairman. Mr. S. Bolton, pointed out, that it would be simply a waste of money to repair the old structure temporarily. The broken span at the town end of the bridge has now been dismantled. It has been sagging down into the water since the flood, and as it was practically hanging bv one member it would be a source of danger to the new structure in an event of another flood. Referring to traffic arrangements in their report, the consulting engineers to the county stated: “The county clerk. Mr. J. Hutton, has given careful consideration to traffic arrangements, and has in train proposals with the Railway Department and with business concerns, etc., that will reduce to a minimum the inconvenience and the business dislocation arising from temporary suspension of vehicular traffic over the bridge. Traffic to the railway can be provided for at the Mangatainoka station, but the new bridge will be ready so that the bulk of the season’s wool and other produce can be handled at Pahiatua station.”