BRIDGE ACROSS REWA RIVER

Southland Times, Issue 23228, 17 June 1937, Page 6

BRIDGE ACROSS REWA RIVER

Invercargill Man’s Impressions THREE YEARS IN THE ISLANDS (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, June 16. The triumph over technical obstacles in the successful erection of a bridge of nine spans across the Rewa river at Nausori on the Suva-Levuka road was described by a school teacher, Mr H. W. Buddle, of Invercargill, who returned to New Zealand by the Matua tonight after three years spent in the islands. Considerable difficulty was experienced in finding a bottom for the piles which, in one set, were driven to a depth of 162 ft, only 2ft less than the world record. Built in steel and ferro-concrete the bridge took about two years to erect, the opening ceremony being performed by the Governor (Sir Arthur Richards) last Saturday. Mr Buddle explained that for many ears motor-vehicles had been transported across the river by means of a punt and with the traffic estimated at 5000 cars monthly it was now considered that a levy of 1/- a vehicle would bring in an annual revenue of £7500. The original estimate of the Public Works Department for the work was £BO,OOO but because of the difficulties that were encountered it was now thought that the cost would approach £150,000. Possessing nine spans, each of 120 ft, the total length approaches the size of the- largest span of the Sydney harbour bridge. Under the supervision of Government engineers the great part of the work was carried out by Indian and native labour. Full provision is made for two-way traffic and on either side of the carriage-way a footpath is provided. Mr Buddle added that the Government was making considerable progress in its reading scheme and only about 40 miles of construction remained to complete a highway around the island. In this project the construction of the Nausori bridge was an important link.