THE OPAWA BRIDGE.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 33, 8 February 1917, Page 4

THE OPAWA BRIDGE.

• SLOW PROGR3SSS.

At its meeting on Monday the Spring Creole Road "Board • reived to. mfonnthe Public"'AVnrks DepaHmont. that, after rending letters, from the* DistricV. Fnaiineer and the Engineer-in-Chief, it approve*! of the method of Asphalting the deck of the OpawA' bridge and agreed to bear the additional ci>st.

It was resolved to draw the District" Engineer's attention to the slow progress being made with the contract Tor clearing and fencing tho road leading to the Opawa bridge, and unless the contractor pushed on with the work toovc\ speedily tho Engineer would be asked to put on men to finish it nt the contractor's expense. The communication from Mr R. W. Holmes, Engineer-in-Chief, to the IMs_ triet Engineer., regarding the propose*! metalling of tho bridge is as follows:— "Replying to yours of the 15th inst.. I am afraid the Spring Creekitaad Board do not understand tht» position. The reason why a minimum thickness of 9in. metal is specified n» ♦•hat tho bridge would not be safe with less, this amount being necessary in? order to obtain a distribution of coneoiurasod t>iad:' over a sufficient width of the deck slabs. On the other hand, tho maximum of loin, was fixed because anything more would throw a, greater stress on the main membersof the bridge than what they were designed for. As wear-and tear must take place on any class of road, it i*r necessary fchnt the same should belaid down, to commence with, of a greater thickness than the minimum previously .-oferred to. As the broken! metal with which we propose to wake1 up a proportion of the height is to be> covered over by asnhalt and soltar, 1" do not think that the Board need fear r.hat any disintegration, :is they; have experienced on the road, will take place. Tn any case, this can bo easily avoided if they care to go to the extra expense of tarring the vrhofo depth."