The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1873-06-14

uOOTiuS OIL uneSe OrlQgeS are cOn-
pletely decayed, and therefore /
worthless but the posts, Judging
from what is visible of them above
the water line, are for the most
part, sound, and can be made
available for reconstruction pur-
poses. We, your committee, would
therefore recommend the rebuild
ing of these bridges, upon the fol-
lowing specifications:
The bridge over Red Chute, to
be thoroughly repaired, by using
the upright posts proving sound
and serviceable, and substituting
others in place of those found, on
close inspection, to be decayed and
worthless
The sinking of a new "bent," in
the center of main body of the
bridge (the span being now forty
feet, from bent to bent, distance
entirely too great said bent to
have mudsill attached, the plant
ing of this bent under each span
equi-distant, one from the other.
The bent to be of the same dimen-
sionS as the others now standing
In the main structure, mudsill in
cluded; the whole to be firmly
Gorticed and pinned together,
with braces on each side of posts,
connecting with cap plates. All
tunber used fer posts and braces,
an making beats, to be of heart
cypress. The cap-plates are to be
entirely renewed; the timber used
in constructing same to be of heart
cypress, 12xI2 inches square; but,
lion more minute examination,
the teneats of upright posts prove
to be uuscund, thereby necessitat-
aDg said tenants to be cut down,
and new ones substituted, thus
causing a lowering of the bridge
from 4 to 6 inches, then the said
caps shall be of the following di.
mensions, viz: 12xl6 inches, so as
to restore the surface of the bridge
to its original height.
The cap plates of bents to be of
same length as those now found
i'm use, the caps to be morticed 10
posts, well braced and pinned on
each side, throughout.
The sleepers of main body of the
bridge are to be entirely renewed,
hewed out twenty-four CA feet
long, and Sx16 inches in width
and depth; they are to be laid on
the plates, so that each end shall
overlap the caps one foot, leaving
twenty feet clear between each
span. These sleepers are to be
put down five abreast throughout
the whole structure of the bridge,
aprons included, and are to bt
constructed of the very best heart
cypress. Each outside sleeper i.
to be bolted and keyed to cap
plates. using the old irons now il
vogue, so far as practicable, ant
should additional bolts be required
the same to be procured, as occa
sion may demand.
1t is only Intended to key the
>sleepers of the aprons, and not tn,
main bridge.
Slcepers are to eighteen us,
feet long, and 6x14 inches il
width and depth; the overlapping
the cap-plates, one foot, leaving
fifteen feet clear between eacl
span, as nearly as possible. Th,
posts, mudsills, caps and braces
to be of same size as those useC
in the main body of the bridge
The old material now in aprons t,
be entirely removed, and new tim
'bers substituted in every particu
laI; the whole frame work OF
aprons to be tenanted, morticet
and pinned, and braced securely
on each end, in substantial and
workmanlike manner. The out
side sleepers OF aprons to be bolt
ed and keyed; same as sleepers il
main body of the bridge. Lumber
used to be of heart cypness.
The sleepers of aprons, aftel
striking ground on both banks
are to be sunk in the earth s feet.
and the extreme ends of said
sleepers, covered by a cross tie
SxS inches square, of heart oak
the same to be piled in the ground
by four piles, four feet long, and
Sx2 inches square; said cross tie
to be firmly secured to the sleep
ers by a I inch drift bolt, driven
through both pieces of timber al
each end; the whole underground
work to be covered with dirt to a
level with the bank end of apron
flooring. We deem it advisable
to place one post on each side OF