CEMETERY GULLY BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13306, 12 October 1906, Page 6

CEMETERY GULLY BRIDGE.

CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT. NEW LINE RECOMMENDED. A report on the proposed bridge across Cemetery Gully was read at the meeting of the Auckland City Council last evening, from the new city engineer (Mr. W. 'E. Bush). The report, which was a lengthy and exhaustive one, stated that on May 9 last the citizens sanctioned a loan of £30,000 for the erection of a ferro or rein- , forced concrete road bridge. The line of the bridge had been fixed to run from the intersection of Karangahape Road and Sy-rnonds-street to a point slightly south of the intersection of Bridge-street with. Ligar Place, and thence by Bridge-street (to be widened to 66ft) into Grafton Road. The level of the roadway of the bridge had been fixed so as to give a grade of 1 in 20 for a distance of 445ffc from tiymonds-street, and thence at a dead level to Grafton Road. The width of the bridge was to be 31ft— 25ft of carriageway, and one path 6ft wide. After consideration, he agreed that a road bridge was necessary in view of the inevitable expansion of the city and the development of the country lying outside it, and also after experiencing the disabilities for traffic purposes of Khyber Pass. He agreed with til© Cemetery Bridge Committee that the bridge should be sufficiently strong to permit of tramway traffic if required in the future, but that before such traffic be allowed the question be submitted to the ratepayers and provision be made for a footpath.on each side. Mr. Hansen had stated that the Tramway Company did consider it desirable to run trams over the bridge, but that the London office would have to be consulted as regards a contribution. He had had borings ,made, and found iup solid ground was far deeper than allowed tor in previous estimates. The line and grades decided upon did not appeal to his judgment as being correct, and seeing that the greater, depth of foundation would probably justify a revision of design, he recommended the Council to adopt a line running straight from the intersection of Karangahape Road to a point 44ft southeast of the southern alignment of Bridgestreet, and leading straight into Park Road, and to fix the level at one grade, 1 in 70, from Symonds-street to Graf ten Road. I Rridge-street would not be interfered with, ! Ligar Place only for the portion crossed by the bridge, while the two houses affected could he rearranged. This bridge would give a straight line from Karangahape Road to Park Road. The disadvantage of the altered line was that sanction had been obtained for the old one. He could not advise the Council to proceed with the bridge on the lines at present fixed, it being necessary on so important a work that nothing but the best line and ! grade should be adopted. He favoured ferro-concrete for the construction, pointing out that a steel bridge would involve annual expenditure and the importation of a great bulk of the material, whereas much of the material for a ferro-concrete bridge could be obtained locally. Ho recommended that when the necessary arrangements with the owners of properties and the cemetery trustees had been completed, tenders be invited for designs and estimates for the bridge. 'The spans he recommended were: Central span 200 ft, two of 175 ft, and two of 130 ft, leaving 95ft of filling in the cemetery and 215 ft front Ligar Place to Grafton Road. The cost of the bridge in ferroconcrete would be approximately £30,000. The Mayor said the report was fnii and explained itself. (Hear, hoar.) He thought the Council was wise in deferring such an important work, involving such a largo expenditure, until the city engineer had arrived. A grade of one in 70 instead of as formerly one in 20. would appeal to all as a step in the right direction. The claims for compensation would he very small indeed compared with what it would ho if the other line had been a bop ted. The proposed line, everybody . would agree, would be the only proper and wise line to he adopted. Unfortunately in the Bill certain alignments were agreed to, but it should be possible to get Parliament to give the Council the authority to adopt the recommendations of the city engineer. They did not expect to meet with the slightest difficulty from the trustees of the cemetery in obtaining sanction, but there were other technical and legal matters that had to be gone into. He moved: " That the report be referred to the Streets Committee." . . Mr. A. J. Entrican seconded the motion, and it was earned, , ,