WHIROKINO BRIDGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 118, 18 April 1934, Page 7

WHIROKINO BRIDGE.

REPAIRS REQUIRED. ESTIMATED COST £Bl2. At yesterday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council a comprehensive report on the condition of the Wliirokino bridge, near Foxton, was made by the engineer (Mr H. V. Bond), wiio, in the course of a lengthy survey of the structure, gave it as his opinion tlit it would last for many years if repairs recommended at a cost of £Bl2 -were carried out. The engineer’s report, inter alia, stated as follows: —‘ ‘For some considerable time it has been evident that some repairs work would have to be undertaken on the Whirokino bridge. In April, 1933, Mr S. H. Algar, bridge inspector to the Public Works Department, made an inspection of the structure, but since that date severe, earthquakes have occurred and a further detailed inspection has been made by the county staff. The condition of the bridge is as follows: “The structure is built of ironbark timber and consists of four spans making a total length of 684 feet. The distance between wheel guards is 13 feet. The vision is somewhat restricted owing to a difference in level of 6ft between the centre and end spans. One passing place is provided in the centre of the bridge. The approach from the Horowhenua County side provides good vision and is an easy grade, but the approach on the Foxton end is both very bad for vision and grade. The improvement of this approach is worthy of consideration.” The technical details of the bridge construction and the condition of the iron and woodwork were then detailed at length by the report, which concluded as follows:

• “Tlie transverse decking is in fairly good order generally, but rattles considerably, due to spike holes in the planking being worn too large for the spikes, Brought about by the unsatisfactory fastening between transoms and stringers. The longitudinal decking is in fair order, being mostly replaced during the last year or two. The hand rails are in a bad state in places, having been repaired only temporarily in contemplation of a thorough overhaul. If this bridge is thoroughly overhauled I see no reason why it should not last for many years as the general condition of the timber is good.'’ The engineer set out the work he recommended to be done, saying he estimated the cost at £Bl2.

Enlarging on the report, the engineer said that with the £3 to £1 subsidy from the Main Highways Board, and the Horowhenua County Council bearing a portion of the cost, tlio Manawatu County’s share would be about £2OO. The report, he said, would be sent on to the Horowhenua County Council and to the Public Works Department. The chairman (Cr W. E. Barber) complimented the engineer on the report. He felt that something at least should be done to improve the visibility at the Foxton , end, where it was very bad. • , , Cr J. H. Perrett asked if the repairs proposed would interfere with traffic, the engineer replying that they would not. Most, if not all, of the repairs would be earned out from underneath the decking and one-way traffic would be able to pass all the time. He estimated that with the repairs he had recommended being carried out, the life of the bridge would be extended for at least 12 years. Cr Perrett desired to know whether it was worth while spending money on the bridge in view of the proposal to deviate the road, but the engineer stated there would be no chance of the present road being done away with while the bridge was serviceable.' _ The report was received, and copies are to be sent to the Horowhenua County Council and the Public Works Department.