New Bridge Over The Bailer

Within two months of the old O'Sullivan's Bridge over the Stiller River collapsing, the Ministry of Works had erected another, however temporary, thereby reopening the direct route from Nelson province to the Buller. Bailey Bridge sections were drawn from many parts of the country and in two days they were assembled and launched in one section across a 150 ft span. This feat of engineering was one of the most difficult and tricky ever undertaken in the province. Dissatisfied with the present bridge site, the Ministry of Works have cast around and two sites, about 400 yds below the present bridge, are at present being investigated by the district office, Wellington.

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These pictures of the actual launching were taken by Mr W. N. McLaren. The one on this page shows a truck, fully laden (the bridge is classified as Class 1) crossing the completed bridge.