NOW TAKING SHAPE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1935, Page 13

NOW TAKING SHAPE

PAP.EMATA BRIDGE

WORK ON THE ROAD

Despite hold-ups owing to wet weather during the past month or two, satisfactory progress has been made with the construction of the Paremata Bridge and the mile of road into Plimmerton.

The bridge itself is now taking shape. The' huge concrete abutment at the Paremata end has been completed, and some of the reinforcement is in place for the first section of the decking. Two of the large end piers are in the course of construction, and workmen are busy making moulds for th~ other piers. Several of the reinforced concrete piles have already been driven into the bed of the channel, and the steel framework for others js under construction. Yesterday the' four-ton pile driver was-engaged in driving wooden staging piles.

The work is being carried jon close to the main north road, and it is a source of considerable interest to passing motorists, particularly, those who journey frequently over the present long detour to Plimmerton. ' ■

About 60 men are engaged on the construction of the-road, which is now fully formed except where the line passes through a rocky bluff known as Goat Point. At this point the work is 'particularly strenuous. Thousands' of tons of material will have to be shifted before the road is through. About thirty men are engaged on this section. At the Plimmerton end several men are forming the batter, and to enable them to carry out this work with safety to themselves they are wearing life lines. There still remains about six chains to be excavated, and as blasting operations can only be carried out between midday and 2 p.m. when there are no trains passing, the work must necessarily be tedious. It is estimated that the work "of forming the road through this bluff will take another three months or so. The Main Trunk line runs along the foot of Goat Point; and great care has to be taken to prevent rocks from falling on the line.