REPLACING OKAUIA BRIDGE

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1390, 24 August 1950, Page 3

REPLACING OKAUIA BRIDGE

DISCUSSION BY COUNTY COUNCIL Preliminary Work to be Put in Hand Preliminary investigations and estimates for the building of a new bridge over the Waihou River at Okauia are toYbe put in hand by the Matamata County Council. In discussion it was considered that some years would go by before plans were approved and authority received to start the proposed bridge, which would cost a considerable sum. Benefit to Tourists and Farmers Cr. A. J. Carter, in whose riding the bridge is situated, spoke in support of a letter which a ratepayer had asked him to bring before the council. The writer urged the need for a new bridge because as many as 100,000 people visited the Okauia Hot Springs every year and much of the traffic was not local traffic. The present bridge was very old. . In ut-ging the council to take steps to get the proposal for a new bridge moving, Cr. Carter said that apart from the holiday-makers going to the Okauia Springs, there were ratepayers >to consider. As there was an eight-ton limit on the bridge the milk lorry could not cross the bridge. Farmers across the bridge were unable to supply milk and were obliged to supply cream, thus missing the advantages 'which milk suppliers were now reaping. Cr. Carter said he had discussed the matter with the engineer, who had considered it might be two or three years before anything could be done. However, he would like to see th council “put the thing in mptioh” to see if something could bp done at first opportunity. Undoubtedly the' present bridge was a “bottleneck,” owing to the steep approach on either side. Unless the council made a move now it would be still longer before anything was done. What Bridge Would Cost The county clerk (Mr J. A. Beck) advised that the best council might hope to get from the Government was a £2 for £1 grant. Such a bridge might cost as much as £30,000. The engineer (Mr G. W. Ensor), when asked about the cost, said he did not like to offer any estimate as to what the bridge would cost. There would have to be a new approach. There would be “no change out of £20,000,” and it could possibly cost a further £IO,OOO in view of rising costs. Cr. J. E. Davidson inquired from the engineer if there were any more urgent bridge works in the county. The engineer mentioned several bridges which needed renewing. Cr J. W. Watson remarked that the only way the council could get along was to be guided by the engineer and to do the most urgent work first. ■ Cr. H. T. A. McGahan agreed that there was something in the argument of the ratepayers on the other side of the bridge who were anxious to join the dried milk group of factory suppliers. It would be an advantage to start the project, if only to draw up plans. Weight Limit on Bridge Cr. Carter urged that no time be lost in replacing the bridge, because it was understood that from time to time the load limit of eight tons was exceeded, and this must shorten the life of the bridge. Cr. Davidson agreed, saying the weakness of fixing a load limit was that there was" always someone who exceeded the limit. Cr. McGahan hoped the council might get an extra subsidy because the bridge gave access to a tourist resort. Cr. G. C. Dunham pointed out that if a £2 for £1 subsidy was granted such a bridge was going to cost the council £IO,OOO of its own money. The chairman (Mr E. D. White) agreed that the council would have to find a considerable sum when the bridge was eventually built. It might be a bit early for the council to embark on such a big job until several other jobs which the council had considered more urgent had been cleaned up. However, there was no harm in getting plans drawn up. In view of the increasing tourist traffic to the springs the council would be justified in asking for a fairly heavy contribution from the State. Might Last 10 Tears In answer to questions the engineer said it had been estimated that the bridge would last a further 10 years provided the weight limit was not exceeded. Cr. J. E. Duxfield remarked that the people going to the springs were contributing - in petrol tax, so the council was justified in asking a greater subsidy. Finally a motion was approved that the engineer proceed with preliminary investigations and estimates for the bridge.