41. BRIDGES. Bridge No. 24 which had been dropped into sea water during the last war was thoroughly inspected in July, 1952. It was found that the bridge was in a very bad state of repair. Practically all the bottom and portions of the web stiffeners and more than 6,000 rivets were corroded. Many anchor bolts were missing while the ends of the spans were resting on deteriorated timber packings. The whole bridge was completely strengthened, repaired and painted in December, 1952.
Some other major bridges including the foundations of their abutments and piers were also inspected and repairs to foundations which had been undermined by scour were carried out where necessary.
42. CUTTING AND EMBANKMENTS. There were no major landslips nor wash-outs during the year. Only minor repairs to certain portions of the stone embankment at Mile 12, which were loosened or scoured away by sea water were carried out.
43. DRAINAGE. Considerable attention was paid to drainage improvement along the track, the most important being the installation of new sub-soil drains between the main and loop lines at Taipo Market Station and the new open side channels near Mile 16 where floods usually occurred during rainy seasons. The side channels inside Gill's Cutting were also repaired and cleaned.
1
44. ROAD LEVEL CROSSINGS. One new road level crossing 10 ft. wide was laid at Mile 16 for the use of the Mili- tary Authorities.
The following road level crossings were renewed:-
(a) Road crossing at Mile 7.
(b)
(c)
>>
**
梦梦
"
(d)
(e)
*
**
**
**
Mile 9.
Mile 19.
Sheung Shui Station.
for approach road to Rice Godown,
Blackheads.
11