Piledriver for Construction of the second Fitzherbert Bridge

Description

The pile driver, for establishing the foundations of the concrete piers of the second bridge, is shown in front of the first Fitzherbert Bridge.
The second Fitzherbert Bridge was built by Fletcher Construction Co. Ltd between 1933 and 1935. It was opened 20 July 1935 by Viscount Galway, the Governor General. The concrete bridge replaced the original wooden structure completed in 1877. The second bridge was 256 metres in length with a 6.7 metre wide carriageway and 1.5 metre wide footpath. The structure's most distinctive features were the four pairs of bowstring arches, each 34.1 metres wide and 9.2 metres high. It remained in use until 1987 when it proved too small for the volume of traffic and was replaced by the current bridge.

Identification

Identifier

2014P_Br53_009656

Date

1934

Digitisation id

2014P_Br53_009656

Format

B&W print