NEW TRAFFIC BRIDGE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2318, 1 April 1930, Page 6

NEW TRAFFIC BRIDGE

'AT HAMILTON. PROPOSAL BEFORE MINISTER. The need of a second traffic bridge • across the Waikato River at Hamilton to cope with increasing traffic was brought to the notice of the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, on Friday, by a deputation from the local bodies interested. The Minister gave an assurance of sympathetic consideration of the request for a sub-' sidy on the cost of a new bridge. The Mayor of Hamilton, Mr J. R. Fow, emphasised the desirability of the town catering for stock as well as for a large through tourist traffic. With the development of motor traffic, the bridge was now carrying a load it was never intended to support. The three local bodies concerned, the Hamilton Borough Council and the Waikato and Waipa County Councils, had at last been able to come to an agreement regarding the site of the proposed bridge, and they had decided that the best place would be north of the borough boundary. Wherever the bridge was placed, the borough was prepared to pay an equitable share of the cost. If built, the bridge would enable stock and tourist traffic to be diverted from the already congested main street.

Mr A. A. Woodward, engineer to the Waikato County, said that plans drawn up by the Hamilton borough engineer and himself provided for. a 400 ft steel truss bridge, supported on cylindrical concrete piers, at a cost of £16,000. Provision was made for an 18ft carriageway and Oft footpaths. The Minister said that he was sur- , prised that the cost of the bridge was so low. The district was progressing steadily, and no doubt the bridge was urgently needed, but ho did not see how it was going to prevent stock coming into the town. The question of contribution was an important one, and he would consider it carefully. If the Main Highways Board would declare the approaches to the bridge a main highway, the assistance to be given would be more gencrovis. He did not need to be 1 told the value of the bridge to Hamilton and surrounding district, and he also appreciated that it would have even wider importance. He advised the local bodies to submit ,a detailed report which ho would be glad to lay before the Main Highways Board. In the meantime they could rest assured that the pvoject had his sympathy, and he would . have no hesitation in commending it to the board.