THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22584, 24 November 1936, Page 13

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

Sir, —The subject of the Waitemata bridge is again much to the fore, but after all there is nothing very original in this proposal, now put forward. Almost anyone could build the bridge if the Government of this country would "back their paper." I liaval ways believed that the bridge would not be built until the taxpayers were made responsible for any loss that might occur. It has often been said, by supporters of the bridge, that it should be looked upon by the Government as a national undertaking; that is a matter of opinion: I think that it is a local undertaking, primarily for the benefit of local landowners, and not of much interest to taxpayers in the South Island. However, the Government may come to look upon it as a national undertaking and if they do. 1 earnestly hope that they will have the interests of the public sufficiently at heart to see that tenders are called for the work. 1 have, from my own experience in contracting, learned that there is a vast difference between getting a eontract by public competition, upon plans and specifications drawn by some engineer or architect, and getting your own price and having your own plans 11 the bridge job goes through in accordance with the present proposal the contractor will probably make a profit out of it of half-a-million. Rout. H. McC'at.txm. Sir, — Ihe high level steel bridge proposed by Mr. M. R. Hornibrook is estimated to cost £'1,800,000. with annual recurring expenses of £05,417 of which 79.5 per cent would be interest charges at *IJ per cent. The toll receipts are estimated at £127,800 per annum, to realise which the existing motor-car traffic across the harbour would have to expand 2i times the existing figure, and the passenger traffic by 25 per cent for the bridge to pay its way. The promoters do not seem sanguine of realising this expectation as they want a Government guarantee for the per cent interest on the capital. Why not consider a low level floating ferro-concrete bridge of uniform design throughout, with a dead level roadway ar.cl an opening span for shipping? Ferro-concrete lends itself to a massive and pleasing design, and risks of distortion could be obviated if the spans had pin joints. There would be no recurring charges for painting and the writer estimates that such a floating bridge could be built for £600,000 to £BOO.OOO, at which price it would pay its way even with the existing volume of traffic. Thomas A. l'\ Stunk.