FITZHERBERT BRIDGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 November 1934, Page 2

FITZHERBERT BRIDGE

THE NEW STRUCTURE. CLIMAX OF CONSTRUCTION. Something of the history of the city bridge over the Manawatu River at Fitzlierbert was interestingly recalled, last evening, by Mr J. E. Menzies, clerk of works at the construction of the new Fitzlierbert Bridge, in an address delivered to the annual conference of the North Wellington branch of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers, when he also explained the characteristics of the fine new structure which will be opened next year. Mr Menzies said lie intended to use the pronoun “we” for it included Mr J. R. Hughes, the city engineer, who had approached him as far back as 1924 in regard to the erection of a new bridge. The earliest mention of the old bridges was in October, 1875, when a Press report stated that “Mr Beere and party have taken levels for a new bridge over the Manawatu Riven” The original bridge was built in 1877 and was constructed wholly of totara cut not far from the site. As first built, the bridge consisted of 60ft. of platform (beams and deck), seven 85ft. timber truss spans, then about 50 feet of sloping timber ramp on the Fitzlierbert, or south, side. This ramp was very soon washed away and another 85ft timber span was added. The next addition was another 85ft. span, and three pairs of cast-iron cylinders were put in to replace the timber piers. ' “It is interesting to note that just over 30 years ago a conference was held between the Borough Council and the Fitzlierbert Road Board to discuss the question of extensively repairing the old bridge or building a new one,” Mr Menzies continued. “The addition of the cylinders and other work was evidently the result of this conference.”

About 1904 the south approach was again washed out and the GOft. span was built. There had been no further additions since that date.

“About 1926 Mr Hughes took up, quite unofficially, the question of rebuilding the bridge,” Mr Menzies proceeded. “Beyond a few preliminary sketch plans and estimates not a great deal was done, except that we reported periodically to our respective councils (Mr Menzies then being engineer to the Ivairanga County Council) that the bridge was rapidly going back and would not last a great deal longer. In 1930 we were instructed to make a joint report on the structure, with an estimate of the cost of repairs sufficient to prolong the life of . the bridge for about ten years. A thorough examination was made of nearly every stick in the structure and we finally reported that the cost would . be between £4OOO and £SOOO, with no guarantee that the latter figure would cover the cost when once work was commenced. The repairs were rejected by both councils and then the rebuilding was taken up a little more seriously. Several Public AVorks Department engineers also reported adversely on the old structure.” THE NEW BRIDGE. It was not until 1931 that further dehnite progress nad oeen made. Both councils accepted the terms of the Maui Highways Board in regard to a £2 tor ii suusidy lor a new bridge and arranged tneir iinances. accordingly. Hie first instructions from the Hoard were that a subsidy would be paid on the cost of a steel briuge only. The local bodies could bund a concrete one if they chose, but would have to stand the extra cost.

“Preliminary plans and estimates for a steel bridge were drawn up, but that is the last we ever heard of the steel bridge,” the speaker commented. Keinforced concrete had then been decided on and six different designs were taken out with rough estimates for each.

The total length of the new bridge will be 839 feet 9iin. over the abutments, Mr Menzies stated. There is a 22ft. roadway, one sft. footpath, and one sft. pipe bridge. There were 14 tenders received and these ranged from £30,500 to £43,100. The total cost of the work, including the purchase of land, the new road, test piles, etc., is etimated to be £35,000. The plans allow for 247 piles, those for the abutments being 35ft., on the dry land 40ft., and in the river bed 45ft., though in some cases 40ft.-piles have been used in the river bed. The work of driving these piles has presented a very difficult task on most sections.

At the conclusion of the address, Mr A. Campbell, B E., explained the work of pile-driving on the job. Mr Menzies paid a tribute to Mr Campbell and Mr G. McGregor, B.Sc., in their assistance on the job. The president, Mr A. Dinnie (Napier) congratulated Mr Menzies and Mr Hughes on the substantial design of the bridge and Mr Campbell on his interesting paper on pile-driving. The opportunity ivas taken by delegates to ask questions and discuss the work of construction of the bridge. Prior to Mr Menzies delivering his address he welcomed his successor to the chair, Mr Dinnie. Mr Dinnie thanked the Palmerston North members for the arrangements they had made for the conference, which had proved very enjoyable for the visitors.