GRAFTON BRIDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22355, 28 February 1936, Page 10

GRAFTON BRIDGE

NEED FOR REPAIRS APPROACH SPAN AFFECTED RESTRICTION ON TRAFFIC . t The announcement that certain repairs were necessary to one of the approach spans of Grafton Bridge was made last evening by the chairman of the City Council's Works Committee, Mr. A. Rosscr. He said instructions had been given for reducing the vehicular loads carried on the bridge for a period during which repair work would be in progress. It was explained by Mr. Rosser that for the period vehicular loads would be limited to a maximum of five tons, and that tho speed of all vehicles would be restricted to 15 miles an hour. Notices to that effect would be erected, and he was requesting the public to assist the traffic department in carrying out the instructions. Mr. Rosser indicated that the repair work would be commenced almost immediately. The erection of Grafton Bridge was commenced in 1907, and the structure was completed in March, 1910, being opened for traffic in April of the same year. At the time of its construction it was notable as having the longest single-span reinforced concrete arch in the world. The bridge is 973 ft. in length, and, in addition to the central arch span of 320 ft., has 11 girder spans ranging from 31ft. to 83.5 ft. The greatest height above ( the creek is 147 ft. At present there is no restriction on the weight of vehicles using the bridge beyond that which applies to main thoroughfares, cn which vehicles are restricted to ten tons. Up to about ten years ago the speed of vehicles crossing the bridge was limited to ten miles an hour, but with the growth of fast motor traffic this has since been increased to 20 miles an hour.