HAMILTON BRIDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22378, 26 March 1936, Page 14

HAMILTON BRIDGE

RENEWING OF DECKING USE BY K LOCOMOTIVES [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday The footpath of the Hamilton railway bridge will again be closed to pedestrians on Sunday to permit of the renewing of another section of the decking. The replacing of the wooden planking with steel decking and handrails is being carried out in four sections, tho bridge being closed on a recent Sunday for the execution of the first part of the work. While tho steel plates aro being placed in position for the second section the first section will bo given a one-inch coating of asphaltic cement. The work will probably bo completed in a month or five weeks, it being realised the closing of the bridge on a week day would entail too much inconvenience, many people having to walk about a mile further to reach their destinations.

As soon as the work is ( completed the Railway Department will'commence with the repainting of all the steelwork in the structure, it now being nearly seven years since any painting was done. At the same time as the alterations to the sidewalk are being carripd out the main steel members below the railway track are being strengthened, with the result that heavy-duty locomotives of the K type will now bo able to use the bridge. This will enable considerable economies to be made in haulage of both freight and passenger trains, particularly on the Rotorua' line.