Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-09
THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.


To the Editor ofthe Aierandria Gazette.
The interest which the town of Alexandria,
and. indeed, the whole district of country south
of the Potomac and west ofethe District Of Co.
lumbia, cannot but feel in the presen: dilapidat-
ed condition, and the future re construction OF
the above work, will render the following notice
oft gratifying, trust to large portion ofyour
readers.
This Bridge was originally constructed at the
cost of something less than 100000, by COM
pany, incorporated for that purpose by the
House of Representatives, in the year 1907. On
the LIST of May, 1909, it was open for use TWAS
then very commodious structure, having
broad carriage way in the centre, with foot
way, set off, on each side, by double rail, for
the protection of pedestrian travellers The
structure consisted of wooden platform, rest
ing upon yellow pine trussels and piles driven
into the deep bed of mud and gravel at the bot
tom Of the river. Its length was near mile.
Its toll, which was never sufficient to pay rea-
sonable profit to the Company, was rs cents for
a man and horse, and one dollar for four wheel
carriage and pair Of horses. Enormous as was
this toll, the Bridge superseded the use of any
adjacent ferry, and assured, for twenty years.
without serious interruption, from any accident
a constant connection and intercourse between
the opposite shores of the Potomac.
During this period, large fields Of ice rested,
occasionally, on the breaking up of winter
against the upper side ofthe Bridge, without any
serious injury to it, until the freshet of the 22d of
Fohr oTo
part of it,, and for some time totally suspended
its use.
The Company applied to Congress for aid in
restoring it; and asked that aid in the shape of
an appropriation for constructing draw 66 feet
wide, for the more easy passage ofvessels bound
to and from Georgetown, which were often i'm
peded in even moderate winds, by the narrow.
ness of the preceding draw.
While this application was under discussion,
proposition was made, in the House of Repre-
sentatives, by Mr.. Charles Wickliffe, a member
from Kentucky, to buy out the rights Of the
Bridge Company, and to appropriate sum Of
money to repair the Bridge,-a work represent
&c to be Of easy and cheap mplishment,-
and throw the use Of it open to the public, with
out charge Accordingly, after much debate,
and some indecsion manifested by the House Of
Representatives, the late Mr. Doddridge report
ed a bill, which received the sanction Of both
Houses, and was approved by the President to
appropriate sum, not exceeding $4,000, to
purchase out the rights of the Bridge Company,
and the further amount OF $50, 900 to reconstruct
the Bridge, upon, or adjacent to, its former ste
with two elevated arches one on each side, Of
each Of two draws, to be- constructed in the
southern and northern channels of the river.
The elevated arches were designed to permit
the passage of steamboats,, up and down the RI
YER. without frequent recurrence to either
draw, so as to occasion less obstruction to ira
velers, in crossing the Bridge. A contract for
the reconstruction ofthe Bridge was to be made
by the Secretary of the Treasury, on plan
previously approved by the President. This
act was finally passed.
During the ensuing session Of Congress, a
message was received from the President, &C
companied by very elaborate reports from Gen.
C. Gratiot and Col. James Kearney, officers Of
the Army of the United States, to which he cal
led " the attention of Congress-" I" to shew the
proprety Of applying part of the sum appro-
priated, to the repair Of the old Bridge; and the
considerations which should determine the
choice between superstructure Of wood and Of
iron, on the same foundation ofgranite" Con-
curring," says the President, " in the reasons
stated by these officers for the preference of the
superStructure of:wood, Ihare adopted it accor-
dinghy, and propose to take measures necessary
for the execution Of the work Previous, how
ever, to inviting contracts for this purpose, l
deem it advisable to submit the subject to Con-
gressr in order that the necessary appropriations
may be supplied" Signed "Andrew Jackson"
The reports ofthe Engineers above mentioned
represented that the probable cost Of an iron
bridge would be $1,293,24s 25 exclusive of con-
tingencies; and that Of wooden bridge, with
piers ofmasonry, s7o6, l07 Is.
As the President had announced his decided
preference Of the latter, all idea of any other
mode of constructing the proposed bridge, it was
confidently believed, was abandoned by all
those who turned their attention IN tho srb;o,x