TAMAKI BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 803, 25 October 1929, Page 6

TAMAKI BRIDGE

RECONSTRUCTION URGED OTAHUHU DEPUTATION A large deputation of Otahuhu ratepayers, Otahuhu Businessmen’s Association, Auckland Automobile Association, and heavy traffic representatives, was introduced by Mr. H. J. Hall, at last evening’s meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council, and urged the necessity of taking immediate action in the erection of a new bridge over the Tamaki River. Two proposals were recently submitted by the Main Highways Board at approximate costs of £9,000 and £5,000. Mr. T. H. Chapman, representing the heavy traffic users, urged tLfe necessity of immediate improvements to the bridge. He said the road to Papakura was recognised as one of the best in New Zealand, and the Tamaki Bridge was one of the worst bridges in the country. The southern approach was especially dangerous, and up to the present a road-roller, passenger bus and heavy lorry had gone over into the Tamaki River. He stressed the need for improvement, and of the two schemes, he favoured the Xo. 2 scheme, which provided for a 36-foot carriageway, in line with the present strip of concrete on the road, at an approximate cost of £5,154. This scheme was approved by the Auckland Automobile Association. He said that about £1,700 was to be found by the various local bodies, of which probably nine or ten would be brought in, so the probably cost to the council would not be excessive. He promised assistance from the users of heavy traffic vehicles. A.A.A. CONCERNED On behalf of the Auckland Automobile Association, Mr. J. C. F. Paine, said the association recognised that a large amount of money had been spent by the local bodies, but they were very much concerned about the state of several of the bridges on the main highways. He asked that the council co-operate with the Main Highways Board and bring the bridges up to the standard of the roads. The association favoured tho cheaper scheme. He considered the cost of the proposed bridge would be cheaper to the council than maintenance on the present structure. The question was more than a lotal one; it was a national one. Tho Mayor, Mr. T. Clements, said tho council would consider the question, and give an answer at an early date. He added that the council did not intend to push the question at present. Up to the present, the council had not received sixpence from the Main Highways Board for the concrete road laid through the borough, although tho Ipoard had been approached in every possible way. Geographically, they might be liable, but morally they were nut. A deputation had recently waited on the Minister of Public Works, and he had told them that if the council had done nothing in the matter they would probably have received a £2 for £1 subsidy. The Auckland Automobile Association had taken no action to help tho council to push their case, and tho council had suffered on that account. However, the question would be very seriously considered. In answer to a letter from the Manu* kau County Council asking the council to confer regarding the reconstruction of the bridge, Messrs. T. Clement.s, G. V. Pearce and C. R. Petrie were appointed to confer with the county’s representatives. On tho proposal of Mr. Pearce, it was decided that the council support tho No. 1 scheme, which provides for a new bridge in alignment with the concrete at present laid and up to the present levels, but the council would not commit itself to any expenditure at present.