ROAD IMPROVEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1935, Page 2

ROAD IMPROVEMENT

NEW MANGAORAKA BRIDGE. STRAIGHTENING THE HIGHWAY. A decided improvement in the main highway between New Plymouth and Waitara will probably be the ultimate result of the recent flood damage. Inspection by expert engineers has made it clear that the bridge over the Mangaoraka is beyond repair and will have to be replaced by an up-to-date bridge, necessitating at the same time the straightening of the road. Messrs Sladden and Palmer reported that the bridge was in much worse condition than appeared to be the case when previously examined, and in the opinion of Mr. Keller and the writer's was not worth repairing. Meantime the bridge was being formed up so that it would carry light traffic until other arrangements could be made. The matter should be treated as urgent.

Mr. P. Keller, Main Highways Board’s representative, stated that with Mr. Palmer he was satisfied that the bridge was in a very dangerous condition, and in its present state it was really only safe for loaded vehicles not exceeding two tons. Notices to that effect should be posted on the bridge and heavier traffic than that mentioned should be instructed to adopt the alternative routes. Immediate repairs were necessary but could only be regarded as of a very temporary nature, as the bridge was too far gone to consider as being worthy o' re-estab-lishing on a permanent basis. He strongly recommended the council to go into the question of replacing the bridge by a permanent structure, suitable to main highway requirements, on a site slightly downstream, which would enable the road to be kept open for traffic as at present. The new site would very materially improve the alignment of the highway from the long straight passing the aerodrome to the top of the hill on the Waitara side of the bridge. Cr. Hall considered that before anything was done the council should meet the engineers on the site. He pointed out that the council still owned the original road line above the bridge, which would straighten the road. It was resolved that the engineers should be asked to confer with the riding councillors on the site.