NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20099, 9 November 1928, Page 14

NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE.

WAIKATO AT NGARUAWAHIA. REPLACING PRESENT SPAN. Preliminary tests have liccn carried OIIL by officials of tlio Railway Depart men t prior to tlie construction of a railway bridge over the Waikato River at Ngariiawahia to replace the present structure, wliicl) is becoming unsuitable for I lie heavier trains now being brought into use. The present bridge has stood since 1874 and is now reaching a stage where extensive repairs arc necessary. The cost of these repairs is so great that it. has been decided to build another bridge, which will be required sooner or later. The new structure will he of steel carried on reinforced concrete cylindrical piers and will cross tho river about 30ft. below tlio present bridge, which will bo retained to carry lighter traffic and to relieve the now bridge, which will carry only one line. Tlio design provides for three 120 ft. trusses with thrco approach spans, one of 20ft, at one end and ono of 20ft. and one of 30ft. at tlio other. A clearance will be left in tlio centre to enable small vessels to navigate the river and during the construction work no false work will be erected in the middle span. The preliminary tests have been carried out to determine whether suitable foundations can be obtained for the bridge on the sitcs selected. Bores have been driven to a depth of 100 ft. and a suitable bed has been Found. The new bridge is being designed by the staff of the chief engineer's office, Wellington, and no notification has yet been received when construction will be commenced.