Ngaruawahia Bridge.

The Ngaruawahia bridge crosses the Waikato River at Ngaruawahia, near Frankton. The new bridge will have three 120ft. main spans crossing the river, and three short approach spans. The superstructure will be of steel plate girders in the short approach spans and steel trusses for the main spans, which will be of the “through” type, to afford sufficient headroom for steamer traffic on the river. The main shore piers are of mass concrete construction on piled foundations, and the high piers in the stream will be constructed by sinking pairs of 10ft. diameter reinforced concrete cylinders to a depth of about 40ft. below water level.

As the new bridge is being constructed on a site alongside the existing bridge, a deviation of the line is required at each end to form the approaches to the new bridge. These approaches have been constructed by railway workers.

A contract for the construction of the bridge has been let to Mr. B. V. Rope, and good progress is being made with the foundation work, all of which is practically completed, with the exception of one of the cylinder piers in the stream. Cylinder sinking at this pier is now proceeding.

The steelwork for both the Ngaruawahia and Whenuakura bridges, weighing about 460 tons, is being fabricated at the works of Messrs. A. and G. Price, at Thames. The steelwork materials are being shipped from Great Britain to Auckland, and carried by rail to the Thames shops. After fabrication the steelwork will be sent out in parts of suitable size for erection.