NEW BRIDGE AT OTAMITA

Southland Times, Issue 24211, 22 August 1940, Page 4

NEW BRIDGE AT OTAMITA

SITE DISCUSSED BY RATEPAYERS EROSION PROBLEM TO BE AVOIDED An explanation that to avoid the problem of erosion it was proposed to erect a new one-way bridge further up the river, to replace tne present wooden structure at Otamita, and to construct a new road which would add 44 chains on to the distance from the Otamita siding, was given by the Country Engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) at a meeting of ratepayers held in the Otama Hall. The position of the site selected was discussed by the ratepayers and at the end of the meeting it was agreed to leave the question to the engineer and the members for the ridings to do what they thought best. Mr J. C. Dickson was chairman at the meeting and there was an attendance of 18 ratepayers. The chairman said that the ratepayers could see difficulties in the way of the site of the proposed new bridge and they would like to have the position placed before them. It had to be considered that there was a war on and whether it was advisable to go on with the construction of a new bridge at the present time. Mr Milward said that a. census had been taken recently and it had been found that on an average 26 vehicles went over the bridge a day, so that it could not be classed as a main highway. The present bridge would never join two areas of great population, but where there had been a bridge in the past there was always a demand for its cqntinuation and no one wanted to see tne structure done away with. The changes made in the course of the river during the past were detailed by Mr Milward, who said that the cost of preventing erosion at the old bridge was out of proportion. The present site was unsuitable because of the high cost of keeping the river under the bridge. The proposed new site would add another 44 chains to the length of the road, but there would be no trouble about the river changing its course. As a bridge site it had everything to commend it. The stretch of river above the proposed new site was the most stable in any part of the course of the river, and it had not changed since 1870.

“As far as the question of building a new bridge at the present time is concerned it has to be remembered that the council has no intention of going ahead with the construction this year or perhaps next year,” said Mr Milward, “but on such a job much preliminary work is necessary, and it is best to have the spade work done when the Main Highways Board makes the money available. The plans have not yet been drawn up, but the estimated cost is approximately £lO,OOO for a concrete reinforced one-way bridge.” Messrs G. W. Whittingham and F. F. Trapski, members for the Hokonui and Mataura ridings on the Southland County Council, also spoke on the proposal. Mr Milward also outlined the proposal for the construction of a flood protection bank down the east side of the river from above the Waimea mouth to below the site of the proposed new bridge. He stated that the survey work "had been done and the levels had been taken