Victoria Bridge, Cambridge, New Zealand: Difference between revisions
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The bridge stretches {{Convert|462|ft|abbr=on}}, including a {{Convert|290|ft|abbr=on}} central arch, is {{Convert|17|ft|abbr=on}} wide and has over 330 tons of steel and 20,000 rivets. The original specification was increased by the government engineer, [[Peter Seton Hay]], adding 15 tons of steel and about 60% more to the concrete pillars,<ref name=":5" /> which were made from local and imported cement, [[Geology of the Waikato-King Country Region#Te Kuiti Group coal and limestone|Te Kuiti limestone]] and Cambridge sand.<ref name=":6" /> |
The bridge stretches {{Convert|462|ft|abbr=on}}, including a {{Convert|290|ft|abbr=on}} central arch, is {{Convert|17|ft|abbr=on}} wide and has over 330 tons of steel and 20,000 rivets. The original specification was increased by the government engineer, [[Peter Seton Hay]], adding 15 tons of steel and about 60% more to the concrete pillars,<ref name=":5" /> which were made from local and imported cement, [[Geology of the Waikato-King Country Region#Te Kuiti Group coal and limestone|Te Kuiti limestone]] and Cambridge sand.<ref name=":6" /> |
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The classification of the design has been disputed.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19071221.2.9 |title=Waikato Independent | date= |
The classification of the design has been disputed.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19071221.2.9 |title=Waikato Independent | date=21 December 1907 |access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref> The heritage listing describes it as a [[cantilever bridge]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/4159|title=Victoria Street Bridge, Leamington|last=|first=|date=|website=www.heritage.org.nz Heritage New Zealand|language=en-nz|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=18 June 2017}}</ref> which was also used in some contemporary descriptions.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19071218.2.90.1 |title=The First Steel Cantilever Bridge in New Zealand | work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] | date=18 December 1907 |access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref> Possibly the confusion arose from a change of plan; the engineer, [[James Edward Fulton]], wrote that an arch had been substituted for the original cantilever design. Others involved with the bridge were [[John Alexander Low Waddell]], as consultant, G. M. Fraser, contractor, and S. W. Jones as resident engineer.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19060206.2.17 |title=Cambridge High Level Bridge | work=[[Waikato Times]] |date= 6 February 1906 |access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref> |
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The arch has three hinges, allowing it to be built by cantilevering from each bank, whilst anchored to the pillars, until it was complete and the anchors could be slackened to allow the hinges to put the weight on the arch.<ref name=":6" /> This avoided the need for support from below, which might have been prone to flood damage.<ref name=":2" /> |
The arch has three hinges, allowing it to be built by cantilevering from each bank, whilst anchored to the pillars, until it was complete and the anchors could be slackened to allow the hinges to put the weight on the arch.<ref name=":6" /> This avoided the need for support from below, which might have been prone to flood damage.<ref name=":2" /> |
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== Origins and cost == |
== Origins and cost == |
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The bridge scheme evolved over several years. In 1899 [[Charles Wilson Hursthouse|C W Hursthouse]] looked at the options, a 1901 meeting selected the present site<ref name=":2" /> and, after visits in 1902<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19071223.2.94|title=Victoria Bridge, Cambridge | work=[[Auckland Star]] |date= |
The bridge scheme evolved over several years. In 1899 [[Charles Wilson Hursthouse|C W Hursthouse]] looked at the options, a 1901 meeting selected the present site<ref name=":2" /> and, after visits in 1902<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19071223.2.94|title=Victoria Bridge, Cambridge | work=[[Auckland Star]] |date=23 December 1907 |access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> and 1903 by Liberal MP, [[Joseph Ward|Sir Joseph Ward]], who opened the Sanitorium at [[Maungakawa]], government agreed to contribute. In March 1906 the components were ordered from [[American Bridge Company |American Bridge Co]] for £5078.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=http://cambridgemuseum.org.nz/HistoricBuildings/histbldgs.htm#30 |title=Historic Buildings |website=cambridgemuseum.org.nz| access-date=18 June 2017}}</ref> A year later, the contract was let to G M Fraser for £5692<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19070518.2.18 |title=Cambridge High-Level Bridge | work=Waikato Independent | date=18 May 1907 |access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref> Building commenced in May 1907 and the bridge was opened by the Governor, [[William Plunket, 5th Baron Plunket|Lord Plunket]], on 21 December 1907. The £13,814 cost of the bridge was covered by £3,000 from government, with the rest shared by Cambridge Borough Council (30%), Pukekura Road Board (30%), Piako County Council (15%), [[Waipa District|Waipa County Council]] (15%) and [[Waikato County|Waikato County Council]], (10%).<ref name=":3" /> |
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== Opening == |
== Opening == |
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The bridge was opened by the Governor, [[Baron Plunket|Lord Plunket]], on 21 December 1907. He arrived by special train from Auckland, his carriage was escorted through the main streets by the army and there were large crowds, streamers and the town band.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19071221.2.14 |title=Cambridge en Fete | work=Waikato Independent |date= |
The bridge was opened by the Governor, [[Baron Plunket|Lord Plunket]], on 21 December 1907. He arrived by special train from Auckland, his carriage was escorted through the main streets by the army and there were large crowds, streamers and the town band.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19071221.2.14 |title=Cambridge en Fete | work=Waikato Independent |date= 21 December 1907 |access-date=21 June 2017}}</ref> |
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== Earlier Cambridge bridges == |
== Earlier Cambridge bridges == |
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Victoria Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 37°53′58″S 175°28′27″E / 37.899323°S 175.474217°E |
| Carries | Motor vehicles |
| Crosses | Waikato River |
| Owner | Waipa District Council |
| Heritage status | |
| Designated | 21 September 1989 |
| Reference no. | 4159 |
| Preceded by | Fergusson Bridge |
| Followed by | The Narrows Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 141 metres (463 ft) |
| Height | 35.4 metres (116 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction start | May 1907 |
| Opened | 21 December 1907 |
| Standort | |
 | |
Victoria Bridge (or the High-level bridge) is a hinged braced arch, bridge in New Zealand, linking Cambridge with Leamington (developed after the bridge opened)[1] and spanning the Waikato River.[2]
Design
The bridge stretches 462 ft (141 m), including a 290 ft (88 m) central arch, is 17 ft (5.2 m) wide and has over 330 tons of steel and 20,000 rivets. The original specification was increased by the government engineer, Peter Seton Hay, adding 15 tons of steel and about 60% more to the concrete pillars,[3] which were made from local and imported cement, Te Kuiti limestone and Cambridge sand.[4]
The classification of the design has been disputed.[4] The heritage listing describes it as a cantilever bridge,[5] which was also used in some contemporary descriptions.[6] Possibly the confusion arose from a change of plan; the engineer, James Edward Fulton, wrote that an arch had been substituted for the original cantilever design. Others involved with the bridge were John Alexander Low Waddell, as consultant, G. M. Fraser, contractor, and S. W. Jones as resident engineer.[7]
The arch has three hinges, allowing it to be built by cantilevering from each bank, whilst anchored to the pillars, until it was complete and the anchors could be slackened to allow the hinges to put the weight on the arch.[4] This avoided the need for support from below, which might have been prone to flood damage.[5]
Origins and cost
The bridge scheme evolved over several years. In 1899 C W Hursthouse looked at the options, a 1901 meeting selected the present site[5] and, after visits in 1902[8] and 1903 by Liberal MP, Sir Joseph Ward, who opened the Sanitorium at Maungakawa, government agreed to contribute. In March 1906 the components were ordered from American Bridge Co for £5078.[9] A year later, the contract was let to G M Fraser for £5692[3] Building commenced in May 1907 and the bridge was opened by the Governor, Lord Plunket, on 21 December 1907. The £13,814 cost of the bridge was covered by £3,000 from government, with the rest shared by Cambridge Borough Council (30%), Pukekura Road Board (30%), Piako County Council (15%), Waipa County Council (15%) and Waikato County Council, (10%).[8]
Opening
The bridge was opened by the Governor, Lord Plunket, on 21 December 1907. He arrived by special train from Auckland, his carriage was escorted through the main streets by the army and there were large crowds, streamers and the town band.[10]
Earlier Cambridge bridges
Originally the only connection between the two places was by punt. Then the first bridge was built in 1870/71 by the armed constabulary for £1,500.[11] It was near river level, with some piers in the river. It was destroyed by a flood on 17 November 1875, and replaced by the Red Bridge in 1876. That was a wooden truss girder bridge, 143 feet long and 14 feet wide, which cost £2345 and was 12 feet above the level of the 1870 bridge.[12] Heritage New Zealand says both these early bridges were built on the site of the present Fergusson bridge,[5] but an undated photograph suggests one of the early bridges may have been on the site of the present Victoria Bridge.[13] The shaky state of the Red Bridge prompted the building of Victoria Bridge. Red Bridge was demolished in 1909.[5]
References
- ^ "Leamington District". cambridgemuseum.org.nz. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ "Heritage Walks – Waikato River". cambridgemuseum.org.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ a b "Cambridge High-Level Bridge". Waikato Independent. 18 May 1907. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ a b c "Waikato Independent". 21 December 1907. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Victoria Street Bridge, Leamington". www.heritage.org.nz Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "The First Steel Cantilever Bridge in New Zealand". The New Zealand Herald. 18 December 1907. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Cambridge High Level Bridge". Waikato Times. 6 February 1906. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Victoria Bridge, Cambridge". Auckland Star. 23 December 1907. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
- ^ "Historic Buildings". cambridgemuseum.org.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
- ^ "Cambridge en Fete". Waikato Independent. 21 December 1907. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ "Innovate NZTM Awards of Excellence, 1965–2015: 1966 – Fergusson Bridge, Cambridge" (PDF). Association of Consulting and Engineering Professionals in New Zealand (ACENZ). 2015.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Waikato River Bridge". cambridgemuseum.org.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
- ^ "Waikato river, Cambridge. Showing two bridge crossings. Possibly Fergusson Bridge and Victoria Bridge". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. Retrieved 24 June 2017.