The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-05-14
S Bfowssy Arcade; iTi.iIv p

Now that there is probability of the
Arcade Railway bill receiving the sigma
tnre OF The Governor, a'statement OF the
plan of operations which will be follow-
ed in the construction Of the road, can.
not fail to be interesting to the reader:
One Of the principal questions asked in
connection with the bpilding Of the rail
way. is, "Will the construction of the
work necessarily involve an absolute OBJ
struction of the street travel on Broad
way, or on any ono OF its blocks, or cut
off convenient communication, not only
with it's side walks, but with the street
proper?" The incorporators named in
the Act, rs passed by the Legislature,
fully considered this question, we'll
knowing that the Legislature would not
grant franchise for any railway which,
during its construction, would necessi-
tate the suspension of street travel. Sci
entific engineers were consulted on the
subject, and plan was finally agreed
upon, which, it is believed, will work
successfully in every respect
The work will be commenced by plac
ing along the line of the rond way two
bridges of iron of about 800 feet in
length, and each eighteen feet wide in
the clear, and along the line of side
walks, corresponding bridges. each twelve
feet wide. The floor of these bridges
will be elevated four feet above the grade
of the street, and the difference in eleva-
tion overcome by gentle ascent at each
end These trusses are skeleton frames,
and will form but slight obstruction to
the view, and will permit pedestrians to
cross the streets at all places. These
panels are made separate and bolted to-
gether, and may be taken down from one
end and added to the other with great
facility. Although this bridge has been
stated as 800 feet in length. it will he
supported at points generally 100 feet
apart. Convenient access will be given
from the foot-walks to each building,
during the progress of construction. All
of the operations will be performed be-
meath these bridges. The street will not
be used either in the removal of the cx-
cayations, or in bringing materials re-
qnired in constructing the road. The
Arcade, so far as completed. will be used
| for these purposes, and will afford abun-
dant store-room for all the uses of the
| workmen.
The openings of working places may
be increased to M extent which would
enable the section between Bowling
Green and Canal street to be completed
in one year, and. if deemed desirable,
similar sections above Canal street could
it is claimed, be completed during the
same time. Working gangs have been
organized SO that the operations can be
carried systematically and simultaneous
ly, no that the work may be prosecuted
without involving any extra expense, al
an average rate of lineal yard per day.
The time during which the street il
front of an ordinary building of twenty
four feet front would be occupied by the
bridge and workmen WILL it is estimated
not exceed one month, and during thai
time such building would have free nc
cess, not to the sidewalk bridge alone
but also to way upon which ordinary
carriages and drays could reach it.
The excavation aud removal of mate
rials between the buildings will require
more time than any of the subsequent
operations. It's proposed that this par
of the work will be performed by three
gangs of workmen. The excavation made
by them will be deposited III the already
completed arcade. The paving stones
tagging, nnd other portions of the ma
terial excavated. which will be useful il
the reconstruction of the work, will b,
placed on the sides. and tho surplus ant
waste material will be placed along tn,
middle OF the completed pOrtlOn or TIT
work, whence it will be removed a
leisure by temporary railway to th
river, there to to be discharged int,
lighters aud carried away. After th
completion of the excavations of an,
section, gang of masons will follos
and place in the masonry to support tit
columns, and another gang will construc
the new sewers, vaults aud ub-cham bers
which the owners of the adjacent pro
perty will require.
AS soon as the masonry foundation
are completed. the iron columns will b.
erected by means of travelling derrick
placed on the top Of the street bridge
before described, which bridges hav
been so arranged rs to give space of tw
feet over each row of columns throng
which will be dropped the falls from
these derricks, by means of which th
columns will be raised to their position
and, when secured Mt the bottom, th
longit ,dinal girdes will also be place.
and bolted to the columns. These der
rcks, placed on top Of the bridges, vii
} not interfere in nny way with the trnve