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CREMORNE BRIDGE
SUBSIDENCES
Assurances of Safety
to Travellers
The condition of the Cremorne railway bridge
across the Yarra between Richmond and South Yarra
is causing some slight concern to the constructing
authorities and city engineers because of unexpected
subsidences of the old abutments on the South Yarra
side. One end of the bridge has dropped about three
feet. .
The chairman of the Railway
Commissioners' (Mr. Harris) said
last night that there was no ques
tion of railway passengers being
exposed to any danger. The con
dition of the old bridge was un
der constant supervision. He
added that plan's had been pre
pared for the alternative hand
ling of rail traffic in the event of
the bridge being found unsuit
able.
The Crcmorne-bndge carries
the railway traffic from Sand-
ringham, Frankston, Caulfleld
and Dandenong lines, besides all
the Gippsland traffic. It is a
vital link for many thousands of
suburban residents
' The replacement of the old
bridge was commenced a little
over twelve months ago, and the
construction of the new. enlarged
structure, and the improvement
of the Alexandra-avenue road
way, which passes beneath, are
expected to take a further two
years.
Ever since the foundation work
commenced difficulties have been
encountered because of the na
ture of the ground and the prox-
imltv of the river, with its seep
age problems. The work is be
ing carried out by the Way and
Works Branch oi the Victorian
Railways department.
An inspection yesterday showed
that two old stone supports .on
the South Yarra side of the
bridge had subsided somewhat,
especially that near the water's
edge. Cracks had appeared m
the stone work, extending in some
cases from top to bottom. Metal
ties had been used to strengthen
the supports and prevent further
extension of. the fissures. .In
places large slabs had been forced
out of position.
It was stated that subsidence
had occurred about 1934, long r<e-
fore work on the new structure
had been commenced, but that
one support liad dropped when
excavations were commenced
close to its base to provide foun
dations for proposed new concrete
piers. The construction- of one
concrete support for the new
bridge in the centre of the river
seems lo have caused a diversion
of the flow towards each bank
with possible effect on the exist
ing supports. Constant measure-
ments are oeing lasen Dy engi
neers to keep check of any fu
ture movement.
Delav on the construction had
resulted from the recent strikes,
Mr Harris stated, when large
sizes in steel girders and sheet
piling had been held up at Port-
Kembla. The overall estimate of
three years, to complete the struc
ture, made twelve months ago,
would not be exceeded, but he
could not say wnen the load of
passing strains could be taken by
the new. concrete understructure
now in course of erection.
$