ROCKWOOD BRIDGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23322, 4 October 1945, Page 4

ROCKWOOD BRIDGE

Replacement Agreed To Cost To Be Ascertained A decision to make a full inI vestigation into the replacement of tlie Rockwood bridge and that the engineer (Mr E. A. Collins) secure an estimate of the cost, was made at a meeting of the Levels County Council yesterday. At a previous meeting of the Council, residents of Mount Gay appeared as a deputation asking that a new bridge be erected over the Rockwood Gorge to replace the one that was washed away, and that the Mount Gay road be repaired. Residents stated that if the bridge and the road were not repaired they would be in serious difficulties, as it was impossible to get produce out. A member of the deputation commented that if something were not dene they would be forced to turn cut the cow's as there was no way in which the milk could be sent to the factory. "I have investigated the possibility of providing read access to the Rockwood district through Mr Carter's property at Raincliff. - This would be possible but it would entail heavy earthworks and steep grades at the Rockwood end, and also the erection of a 20-30 foot bridge,” said the County Engineer. “The cost would probably equal that of replacing the bridge, and we would still have a steep grade for heavy traffic over a short distance. It appears to me that a full investigation of the bridge replacement is desirable.” The chairman (Mr R. G. Cleland): Rockwood bridge has come before this council many times. It has crept in gradually. First there was a stock bridge. It was washed away. It was rebuilt and later strengthened to carry a car or waggon. But that bridge was washed away too. What are we going to do? The engineer: It will have to be set into the rock itself if the bridge is to be sound. The chairman: And make it higher to allow the debris to clear. What sort of bridge will stand against the willow trees? It is estimated that nearly 1000 came down in the last big flood. Cr. A. H. Giles: What is needed is a cantilever bridge, but it would take £lOOO to build. • Willows Dangerous Cr. J. E. P. Cameron: Every willow tree should be poisoned out and then we would have no trouble with the flooding. Take the case of the Waitaki River. It was all right while the banks were clear of willows but now it is different. The fellow who brought willows to New Zealand ought to have been hanged. “I will have to take a survey first of the bridge at Rockwood and it will take some time to get an estimate,” said 'the engineer. On the motion of Cr. R. W. Munro It was agreed that the engineer secure an estimate of the cost of a new bridge. _______