BRIDGE SPAN COLLAPSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1946, Page 8

BRIDGE SPAN COLLAPSES

WAITANGI RIVER DAMAGES . STRUCTURE ALTERATIONS IN PROGRESS One span of the ’Waitangi bridge.in South Westland .collapsed during rhe. week-end, when temporary piles supporting the superstructure were smashed by huge tree .trunks swept down by the ri ver, which was in heavy flood following the rain on Saturday and Sunday. Damage to the extent of about £ 100 was caused, but repairs have been carried out and the bridge was again available to traffic yesterday morning. The Waitangi bridge for the past few months has been undergoing extensive alterations, the major portion of which involves the lifting of. the level of the structure. To do this it has been necessary -to place temporary piles under the various spans -so as to raise the height of the permanent piers. It was while the second span on the northern side of the bridge was elevated on these temporary supports that the river suddenly flooded and the heavy debris being carried down to the sea battered at the piles until two gave way. As a result the span collapsed, falling heavily on to the top of the permanent pier, and one end was left hanging into the river. Work was immediately commenced to repair the damaged, part. This work was completed, it is understood, on Tuesday night, and, the highway was closed for no more than two days.

Over half, of the bridge has been lifted to a higher level above the rising bed of the river, but the completion of the work, which, will cost in ihe vicinity of £’2500, will depend on weather conditions.