SPANNING THE YARRA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20105, 16 November 1928, Page 17

SPANNING THE YARRA.

MELBOURNE'S NEW BRIDGE.

TALKED OF FOR 70 YEARS

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SYDNEY. Nov. 8

In addition lo the mammoth Sydney Ilarbqur bridge another great bridge is faking shape, this being tho bridge that is being built across the Yarra at Spencer Street, Melbourne. A year has passed since tho first of the 109 concrete piles were driven, and 13 of tho 18 foundations necessary for tho bridge havo been completed. Tho others will be finished before Christmas. Tho masonry has been begun, and preparations are being liiado for the erection of the 27 steel girders—one 125 ft. longthat will form the thrco spans of tho structure. It, therefore, appears almost certain that tho wliolo bridge will be completed by the estimated time—tho end of niwt, year. The main difficulty that the Stato Government will have to faco is finding the money. Tho Victorian Labour Ministry showed remarkable, astuteness in making tho Sp.eijc.er Street bridge practically tho first business of its administration. As a result it will go down in State political history as tho Government that built the bridge that its predecessors talked about for 70 years But it is going to find the erection ot tho structure a big strain on its finances. Tho completion of the bridge will afford much-needed relief to city traffic, providing a new outlet from the metropolitan area. Ifc is expected that the new arterial road will divert much of tho slow-moving vehicular traffic from tho heart of the city.