TRAFFIC ENDANGERED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21449, 24 March 1933, Page 10

TRAFFIC ENDANGERED

BRIDGE OVER WAIKATO

RISK TO HEAVY VEHICLES

[FROM OUR OWN correspondent] HAMILTON', Thursday

Reporting to the Hamilton Borough Council last evening on traffic restrictions at present imposed on vehicles crossing tho Waikalo River traffic bridge, tho engineer, Mr. R. Worley, said the decking would be detrimentally affected by heavy vehicles travelling at over 10 or 12 miles per hour. As it was hoped that the roadway across tho bridge would serve until the new bridge was built, it was desirable to lessen possible damage by heavy traffic. Tho decking on the upstream side was in a very bad condition and it had been necessary to construct a wooden guard to keep vehicles off tho weaker portion. This had narrowed the roadway to such an extent that when two largo vehicles passed there was only 4in. between them. If a strict speed limit was not imposed tho risk of accident would bo fairly great.

In the event of an accident a vehicle which struck the -side rail would meet with littlo resistance and would probably finish up in the river some 50ft. below. If It large rent were torn in tho railing it would be extremely difficult to mend it, even temporarily. Tho report was adopted and it was decided to continuo.to restrict tho speed of vehicles passing over the bridge in accordance with tho engineer's recommendations.