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PORT RIVER
CROSSINGS
Bridge Scheme
Advocated
COSTLY PROJECT
yITH the work of wharf recon
struction at Port Adelaide pro
ceeding apace, the end is rapidly
approaching for Robinson Bridge,
which spans the entrance to the
basin.
The bridge, which was opened 50
years ago by the then Governor, Sir
William Robinson, will be demolished
next year. Tenders for its purchase
are to be called for by the Harbors
Board.
This has led the Semaphore Park
Progressive Association to approach
the Port Adelaide City Council for its
suppor in a deputation to the Govern
mnent with a request that the bridge be
re-erected three-quarters of a mile
south of the present railway bridge to
link the old Port road, Queenstown,
arid Gawler terrace, .on the western
side of the river.
As the locality is in the Woodville
District Council area, a similar re
quest will be put to that body. The
Mayor of Woodville (Mr. W. Tulloch)
har agreed to receive the deputation on
Monday night, December 10.
The Port Adelaide Council today ad
vised the Semaphore Park Progressivo
Association that while it was sympa
thetic towards its request for a bridge.
it could not join in any deputation to
the Government on the project.
BIRKENHEAD PROJECT
The council for many years has been
striving to have a bridge built to con
nect Birkenhead with Port Adelaide.
Members apparently fear that sup
port for the Robinson Bridge scheme
may be taken by the Government to
mean the waiving of the old appeal for
a Birkenhead Bridge, which, of course.
is of greater importance.
The Harbors Board is not particularly
interested in the new bridge point, as
the river at that locality is not navig
able.
Jervois Bridge, which is already an
old structure, is the only sound con
nectiing link between Port Adelaide and
Lefevre's Peninsula.
It is claimed that if Robinson Bridge
were put. to the use proposed by the
progress association Semaphore Park
development would be stimulated. It
would provide a more direct route to
Adelaide for residents of that area.
A. new highway about 2½ miles long
would connect with the existing Sema
phore Esplanade.
Removal and reconstruction of the
bridge would be an expensive under
taking. Approaches would-have to be
built up, as the bridge is only 125 ft.
long. The distance to be spanned is
more than 1,200 ft.
ANOTHER SCHEME
Another scheme for a river crossing
in this vicinity is one propdsed by Mr.
C. L. Gardiner. It is now being con
sidered by a Royal Commission.
This proposal is that a barrage should
be built across the river at Wellington
street, Portland, north of the suggested
new. site for Robinson Bridge.
The barrage, according to MIr. Gar
diner, would prevent salt water from
going into the upper reaches of the
Port River. PRiver Torrens floodwaters
that bring down silt would reclaim a
huge area of ground by natural pro
cess.
A road could be constructed over the
barrage to link Portland and Glanville
Blocks. Spillways above the highest
known level of the Port River would
be necessary for the escape of flood
waters to prevent inundation.
It is claimed that the natural silting
would eliminate offensive swamps.
The Woodville Council is desirous of
developing its district on the western
side of the river, and will probably
review both schemes.
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