THE TAMAKI BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20562, 13 May 1930, Page 10

THE TAMAKI BRIDGE.

PROPOSAL FOR WIDENING.

HIGHWAYS BOARD SCHEME.

LOCAL BODIES' CONFERENCE.

At a special mooting of representatives of the Main Highways Board, tho Manukau County .Council, the Otahuhu Borough Council and tho Auckland Automobile Association, hold in the Otahuhu Borough Council Chambers last evening, it was decided to support a scheme for tho widening of tho bridgo over the Tamaki'River on tho Great South Road. Tho existing bridgo is not in alignment with tho concrete sections of. the Great South Road, and it is proposed to widen the structure to enable traffic travelling on tlio concreto to continue straight ahead over tho bridge. Tho road, 18ft. wide, will continue straight over tho bridge, and the widening will givo a clearance of 25ft. on one side and 15ft. on tho other sido of the central strip.

The estimated cost of tho widening is £6154, as against £9377 for the construction of a new bridge, as was originally proposed by the Manukau County Council and the Otahuhu Borough Council. The scheme was submitted to Mr. M. II Wynyard, of tho Main Highways Board, as an alternative to tho previous arid moro costly scheme for building a new bridge. He explained that he had ma do tho proposal, and had suggested tho conference at a previous meeting of tho Main Highways Board, as ho.considered it desirable to preserve tho present bridgo on account of its historic associations.

In outlining his scheme, Mr. Wynyard saicj that while! tho usual bridge subsidy of tho Main Highways Board was £2 for £l, it was possiblo that the board wouid consent to an increased subsidy on the cost of widening the present structure, and ho promised to put the matter before tho board

If the board accepted his proposal for an increased subsidy of £3 for £l, the amount to bo found by tho Otahuhu Borough Council and tho Manukau County Council would be about £BIO each. The question of approaching other local bodies to provide grants was mentioned, but it was pointed out that if tho Main Highways Board granted an incronsed subsidy, there was not much likelihood of other local bodies contributing. In any case, there would be unnecessary delav. Mr. Wynyard said the Main Highways Board might possibly financa the entire undertaking in the first instance. Local bodies would bp given five years to pay their portions, which would bo in fivo equal yearly payments. The board would call for tenders for the work as soon as local bodies had approved th' 6 scheme. Mr. F. Waters, tho representative of the Manakau County Council, said he was prepared to ask his council to agree to the proposal, and ho felt sure of tho support of the other members. Support of tho schemo was also expressed by tho representatives of the Otv huhu Borough Council.