GRAFTON BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13778, 17 June 1908, Page 5

GRAFTON BRIDGE.

PROGRESS OF THE WORK. The wet weather of the- past two month* has interfered a good deal with the progress of the ferro-concrete bridge over Cemetery Gully, though advantage is taken of every opportunity to push the work ahead at all times, and there is certainly a good deal to show for recent operations. During the last six weeks the Grafton end of the structure lias been receiving eoino attention, the intention being to complete the work as far as possible up to the main piers that, abut the big arch on each side, of the gully. This scheme has a double advantage. The limber being used in the present construction can bo utilised over again in the superstructure for the arch, and, moreover, the bridge as it is completed 1 ; is used for the purpose of conveying (he materials used in construction as the'ends of the bridge are gradually pushed inward to the point where thoy will meet in the centre. A mistaken impression still appears to prevail that the main piers are intended to bear the weight, of the main arch, and self-constituted critics are apt to condemn the comparatively light nature of the-piers to bear such a weighty burden. But the piers are only intended to carry the decking: the arch depends on Mother Earth for its strength, and each end of the semicircle will rest on the solid sandstone formation which has been excavated to a sufficient depth for the purpose and will be practically independent of the piers. At the Symonds-street end of the bridge, in the course of a. week's time, the whole of the first section, including the roadway and the pathways on each side will be practically finished. The kerbing which ip of Coromandel granite, is in position over this section for a distance of 75ft, and it only remains for the final layer of concrete to be laid. Yesterday, when a..Heraij) representative was shown over the works by Captain Xoyes, workmen were filling in the massive girders, each 9ft 6in deep, to a further distance of ■75ft, and up to the pier before the abutment the network of steel bars was ready in position, the carpenters having finished their work there for the time being, The staging to carry the decking and girders up to the main pier is also well on towards completion. A great deal yet remains to be done to this pier. During the last three.weeks another sft has been added to the pier, and the timber work is in position to carry it a further -similar distance. On the opposite side the work is being pushed forward with all speed, and the first stage of the bridge proper will be concreted in a week's time. The steel work is all in position for this section and the retaining wall, which extends over a total length of about 100 ft. The staging to support the. girders and decking out towards the main pier is also well advanced.