The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-11-18
The Bridge Ques tion.

The Bridge Ques tion.
For sixteen miles, between Berwick |
and Catawissa, the Susquehanna river Is
spanned by no bridge. For the want of
one at some proper point great inconve-
nience and loss are suffered yearly by
the people of our county, and particu-
larly by those who reside south of the
river. In winter and in flood time, the
latter are shut Off from communication
with the county seat and with the
northern section of the county except
by circuitous and tedious route, and
at all times more or less of delay and
inconvenience is suffered by them in
coming north whether on foot or by
any means of private conveyance.
The points which may come into
question for the location of a bridge,
eMiffiinville, Upper Lime Ridge or
Stonytown, Espy, and the Bloomsbury
Ferry. In view of all the facts pertain
ing to the question we think the proper
conclusion will be in favor of the last
named place. The ravine in the hill
south of the Bloomsbnrg Ferry affords
a fair grade for road, and when the
hill is surmounted good routes east,
west and south are presented. East
ward road along or back of the river
hill, to its terminus will reach the Milf
lin section. Southeast there is good
route to Mainville; south the valley of
Catawissa creek is accessible on short
lines, and west there will be an excel
lent and easy road along the ridge,
dropping down by a gentle descent to
the town of Catawissa Besides, if de-
sired, road can be carried from the
south end of the proposed bridge along
the south bank of the river to point
opposite Espy, and there connected
with the Mainville road, now used. The
location of Bridge at the Bloomsbury
Ferry is recommended then by two
considerations, that the ascent of the
river hill at that point is an easy one,
and that we have there the best point
from which to reach the tphole country
south Of the river. But there are other
recommendations of the place. 1t will
be pretty secure in time of floods the
banks are good, and the materials for
abutments and piers can be obtained,
probably, near at hand on the south
side.
1t has been estimated that a single
track bridge at that point, IS or 20 feet
wide, could be erected for $4,000 Ger
tainly the cost would not be much more
than that sum and ought to be consid-
cred as provident outlay by those who
are interested in the proposed improve
ment.
Since the construction of the Catawis-
so and Lackawanna & Bloomsbury
railroads, the Catawissa route across the
river by way of Rupert and the mar
rows has become dangerous, and it
would be gladly avoided by most of
those who now use it, if safer apd
better route were opened to supply its
place. A rough and dangerous road
would give place to smooth and safe
one, if the Bloomsbury Ferry route
were fully opened. Almost every per-
son with wagon, buggy, or other We
hicle coming from Catawissa to any
point above Rupert would choose the
new route, as would those driving south
from this section. We might therefore
assume that great part of the travel
and business of Catawissa, Franklin,
and the whole of the Roaringcreek val
ley which is now forced upon the Ru-
pert route, would be transferred to the
new one, besides what would come
from Main, Beaver and Miffiin.
Should the bridge be FREQ or tol
bridge? Should it be erected by the
county or by an incorporated company
To make it a county or free bridg,
would require the express assent of the
people by popular vote, or at leas
such popular vote should be had as al
antecedent condition. Besides, fret
bridge at the place mentioned, woulC
be a severe blow upon the Catawiss'
Bridge Company. That Company woulC
no doubt be greatly injured by the com
petition of such a bridge only 8 or
miles distant.
AS to the alternative of compan
bridge, the question Is can stock sub
scriptions sufficient for the enterpris
be obtained? There can he no doub
that toll bridge would pay and pa
well, and if men of capital and person
particularly interested in the improve
ment were appealed to, we suppose tn
necessary means could be raised. w
say then, let the effort be made AN
made promptly to secure this niue
needed improvement.