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“N.R.B. Sees Manawatu's Best - And Worst”

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Description: These images were taken for the August 27th 1978 edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper – the first of which was published with the caption: “Mr Young points to the bridge's trouble spot, which is supported by the steel trusses below it.”

An excerpt from the article read: “The best - and the worst of the Manawatu's roads came under the scrutiny of the National Roads Board last week. And while the board inspected the propped-up bridge over the Awahuri River, the Minister of Works, Mr Young told the ‘Tribune’ that another bridge is to be built in the Manawatu Gorge this year.

The $300,000 structure will span a gap in the road created by a dropout last year. The gap has been temporarily spanned by a Bailey Bridge in recent months. Mr Young, who is also chairman of the NRB, said the bridge in the Gorge would not be completed in one year, but the contracts for it would be let soon.

He’s interested in the condition of the Awahuri Bridge, noting that the section shored up with steel supports shakes when heavy vehicles pass over the structure. (The bridge has both weight and restrictions to control traffic and prolong its life.)

However, it's not due for urgent replacement, he said, and is only marked down for renewal "in due course". Asked about the condition of the Manawatu's roads, Mr Young said they were among the best provincial roads in New Zealand. People in the province owed a debt of gratitude to the heavy investment in roading in the district's early days he added.”

These images form part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.