MANY WOODEN BRIDGES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20238, 23 February 1934, Page 7

MANY WOODEN BRIDGES.

More Than 150 Needing Renewal. (Special to the ” Star.”) AUCKLAND, February 22. The Highways Board has more than 150 wooden bridges due for renewal, but cannot get the work done unless the money is available. This fact was mentioned by Mr M. H. Wynyard, motorists' representative on the board, when sections of stringers from the Puhoi bridge, into which a paper-knife could be driven with ease, were exhibited at a meeting of the council of the Automobile Association last evening. Mr Wynyard also stated that he had told the Minister on several occasions that these bridges were awaiting renewal. The condition of the wood from the bridge, part of which was washed away in the recent North Auckland floods, was illustrated when a paper-knife and several pencils were driven deep into the wood with ease. A note attached to one of the sections was as follows: 4 ‘ Safety first. The confiscation of motor taxation for the general purposes of the Government has left the highways funds so depleted that the urgent replacement of many old wooden bridges has had to be postponed. Sections of the stringers of the Puhoi bridge, on a No. 1 main arterial highway, collapsed during the recent flood, illustrating the dangers to which roadusers are subjected in spite of the excessively high taxation which they are paying.” In the course of the general discussion on the subject, Mr R. E. Champtaloup, an officer of the association, said that he had inspected the damage at the bridge, which was continually being crossed by heavy passenger buses. He suggested that in view of the serious risk to life and limb the association should notify ’the Government that it considered the replacement of bridges of this type of paramount importance. Mr Grayson stated that vehicles up to a total weight of four tens had been over the bridge daily. It did not give way through stress of traffic, however, but because of the flood.