Bridge Renewals Urgent

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1938, Page 9

Bridge Renewals Urgent

Consideration of a bridge renewal programme was urged by the Whangarei county engineer. Mr J. Norris, at the monthly meeting of the county council yesterday. “Old bridges arc constantly in need of repair and these are given attention in order of urgency,” said Mr Norris. “It is difficult with our limited gang to attend to urgent calls. Two small bridges collapsed in the past two days—one in Kaimamaku and the other at Waiotira. The loading is excessive, and the light old bridges have no margin of safety. “A bridge renewal programme is due for consideration, and I would suggest, as a practicable measure, that it be requested that a bridge fund be instituted by the Government for roads in general, similar to highway funds for bridge purposes, from which a loan could be arranged without poll and repayment spread over five or 10 years. This county has reached the stage when some definite steps are urgent.” Crs T. N. Blake and F. Elliott stressed the urgency . of considering an investigation into the problem, and it was decided that the chairman and staff should meet the district engineer of the P.W.D. to discuss the matter.