OBSTACLE OVERCOME.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19759, 14 December 1935, Page 11

OBSTACLE OVERCOME.

NEW FAIRFIELD BRIDGE. UNDER-WATER CONCRETING. After a delay of several months as the result of Hie abnormally high level of the river, the undcr-walor concreting of the second pier in the new Fairlielil bridge was completed yesterday, thus removing a big obstacle in the way of the contractors’ progress. Despite the dry spell of several weeks past the river has remained at a level considerably above normal, and to-day it is still about 18 inches higher than b usual at this time of the year. This is accounted for largely by the melting of the recent heavy snows on the mountains in the vicinity of Lake The completion of the under- watef concreting for the second pier is a big forward step, and from now on it is expected that rapid progress will he made with the bridge construction. This pier will carry one end of the first span and part ol Iho second span and when the upper part of the pier is completed about mid-Jan-uut’v it will he possible to proceed with Hie extension of the ■superstructure to mid-stream. The boxing for the first span, on the Claudclanils side, is completed, and the roneroling will be commenced shortly. At present there are about •>r> men engaged on the bridge. Thu construction work was started about I C, months ago, and it Is expected that better progress will he made in the next few months than at any previous stage. The new bridge lias proved a source of interest to hundreds of visitors, and every day parties stop and inspect the work, which is now at an interesting stage.