NEW BULLER BRIDGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 October 1939, Page 5

NEW BULLER BRIDGES

OPENED BY MINISTER WESTPORT, October 27. Three bridges in the Buller County were opened this afternoon by the Minister for Public Works (Mi. Semple). Two, across rivers, are at Orowaiti and Ngakawau, while the third was an overbridge at Waimangaroa. Both the Orowaiti and the Ngakawau bridges are of the latest design. The Orowaiti bridge is of 12 spans, each of 40 feet, and cost £11,408, while the Ngakawau bridge has nine spans and cost £8,875.. At Ngakawau the new bridge replaced a combined road and rail bridge, which Mr. Semple said was a source of danger to motor traffic, because of an unsatisfactory approach at the southern end, and poor visibility because of the bridge having truss spans, which obscured the view of approaching trains. Vexatious delays were continually occurring through traffic being held up by passing trains and frequent reports of narrow escapes were received from motoiists caught on the bridge in the face, of on coming trains. Mr. Semple stressed the good work done by the engineers in designing the bridges, and the faithful and skilful carrying out of the work by the contractors. He emphasised the need for all possible precautions and safeguards on the roads, and particulaily so as New Zealand, per capita, came next to the United States in the number of users of motor vehicles. Other speakers included the Minister of Mines (Mr. Webb), Messrs. D. J. Archer (County Chairman). F. Morgan (president of the Westport branch of the C.A.A.), .!• C. Brown (president of the Buller Progress League), John Dowgray. W. R. Simpson, J. G. Jordan and J. Ward. Mr. Semple and Mr. Webb spent the morning inspecting the aerodrome on the south side of Westport, and also the land clearing and chaining operations up the Nine Mile.