BRIDGE BUILDING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19373, 8 January 1925, Page 2

BRIDGE BUILDING.

BOOM IN SYDNEY. (Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, December 31. The bridges in and about Sydney that have been so long talked of, and so long delayed as to put a good Christian, democratic community into a state of almost anarchical rebellion, are gradually becoming accomplished facts. The old punt which has gone backwards and forwards at the Spit, at Middle Harbour, since 1850, and which has had poured upon it tho maledictions of motorists and the commercial community because of the endless delays that it involved, has at last been supplanted by a bridge, for which there has been a continuous agitation since about 1880. Tho new Spit Bridge is generally acclaimed as one of the ugliest bridges in the world ; but of its utility in providing direct communication between the northern side of Sydney Harbour and Manly and the vast surrounding district, there is no question. The cost of its construction is being homo by tho Manly Council, but as toll charges are being imposed there will be no burden on the ratepayers generally. It is to he paid for in 20* years, after which it will be a free bridge and \vill be handed over to the Government. The construction of the picturesque Roseville Bridge in Middle Harbour, making the coast more readily accessible to the far northern suburbs, is another notable achievement. Contracts have also been let for the much-needed bridge across George's River, where, for many long years, punts have delayed for endless hours at times communication by road with the South Coast. Hero again toll charges will pay for the bridge, which will be of massive and ornate jxroportions. Early in tho New Year a big step forward will be made in the preliminary work for the erection of the giant Sydney Harbour Bridge. Incidentally, one of the oversea tenderers for the bridge has hurled a writ at tho Government, but the Ministers do not seem to be at all perturbed about it. The development of indnstry, increase of population, the amazing growth of the metropolis, and the demands of motor and other vehicular traffic threaten gradually to make of Sydney a city cf bridges.