THE PAREORA BRIDGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20892, 5 December 1929, Page 8

THE PAREORA BRIDGE.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF MODERN STRUCTURE. (Special to Daily Times.) OAMARU, December 4. • The old type of bridge across the Pareora, on the main highway a few miles south of Timaru, has withstood the elements for nearly 60 years, and, having outlived its usefulness, has been replaced by a' modern reinforced concrete structure, the official opening of which took place this afternoon. The new bridge is 660 feet long, running almost parallel to the old structure, and containing *23 piers, in each of which are four strongly reinforced piles. On each set of piles is a strongly reinforced pier, the decking being. also reinforced ■with mild steel bars. On the top of the decking is a coating, two inches thick, of hot mix, thus making for a bridge of the very latest type, somewhat similar to the Selwyn bridge. The estimated cost of its construction was £13,000, but the work has been completed for about £II,OOO, of which the Main Highways Board will pay two-thirds, and Levels and Waimate County Councils and theTimaru and Waimate Borough Councils' the remainder. The official ceremony of declaring the bridge open took place this afternoon in the presence of a large crowd, including representatives of the adjoining borough and counties, Crs A. T. Munro and E. B. Meek and Mr G. L. Cuthbertson (engineer) attended on behalf of the Waitaki County Council. Mr J. Bitchener, M.P., declared the bridge open, and' a procession proceeded across the new bridge, returning for tbe last time over the old structure. A function was afterwards held, at which Mr T. B, Garrick (chairman of the Levels County Council) presided, and at which the "customary toasts were honoured.