WAITANGI BRIDGES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 147, 7 June 1932, Page 7

WAITANGI BRIDGES

REPORTS TO RIVERS BOARD. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSALS. A report upon the plans of the new Waitangi bridge, the Waitangi washout low-level roadway and bridge and the discharge capacity of these waterways was submitted to the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board this morning by its overseer (Mr P. Scullin) and the engineer (Mr Guy llochfort). The report, which was as follows, was received and held over in the meantime: —

“Waitangi River: The plans show a concrete bridge having 40 feet span and of approximately the same length as tire present traffic bridge. We consider that this bridge should be at least the same length as the railway bridge adjacent and it then will be sufficient. for the purpose of the Rivers Board provided that no obstruction is placed in the present washout waterway and, provided further, that it is not required at some future date to carry the whole of the flood discharge from the Tutaekuri river and the Ngaruroro river overflow. The policy of the board in respect to the Tutaekuri is as yet undecided ,and it is impossible for us to give any definite decision with regard to this bridge until the policy is fixed. ‘ WAITANGI WASHOUT. ‘ 1 The plans show a low-level embankment and an 80-foot bridge on the seaward side of the present railway railway bridge, the height of both embankment and bridge being approximately that of the present low-level bridge. Since inspecting the plans we have been informed that the height of the embankment is to be that of the present roadway ,so that conditions at this point will be much as they are to-day. We consider that the amended proposals will be satisfactory to the board, only provided no alteration is made in the present river conditions. Hero again the policy of the board with regard to tho Tutaekuri must be fixed before any definite opinion can be given..’’ COUNTY’S WISHES. It was essential, said Mr C. Lassen, when the board considered the report, that the County Council should know what the Rivers Board’s wishes were. The council was prepared to give as much waterway as the railway bridge had, and the board should have no objection to that.

It was pointed out by Mr R. E. Talbot that the board had already adopted a policy which provided for two overflows.

Mr L. E. Harris stated that whatever the board decided upon, that portion of the river would have to take the whole of the flood waters.

The board, said Mr H. R. Clark, had previously agreed that the waterway under tho Waitangi should be the same as that under the railway bridge. It was finally agreed, on the suggestion of tho chairman, that the report be received and hold over in the meantime.