Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1880-09-24
THE HIGH BRIDGE.
Work ON the Missouri River Bridge
ut Bismarck Comm enced.

8t Bi8marck Commenced.
Active preparations have commenced
on the new bridge to cross the Missouri
River at this point, which has been finally
decided upon in preference to a tunnel.
A dyke from the Mandan side curying
down the river ], ZOO feet, has already been
contracted for. Maj T. J. Mitchell, of
Mandan, has the contract for the matrices
upon which the dyke will rest and is now
getting out the timber. The dykeing
will confine the river channel to width
of twelve hundred feet from the Bismarck
shore. VIM. H. Fuller is assistant cngi-
neer and has charge Of the work. The
minor details have been arranged with
reference to the construction Of the foun-
dations: -Four hundred carloads of stone
for filing purposes have been contracted
for, to be gotten out this side of Baby
Mine. The citizens of Bismarck may
congratulate themselves upon the action
of the railroad authorities. 1t will not
only give employment to hundreds of
laborers for long period Of time, there
by increasing trade in the city, but as the
permanent crossing of the Missouri by
the N. P. railroad, will add greatly to the
attractiveness of Bismarck, facilitate bus
mess interests, and with the city's natural
advantages, commercially, make il the
point OF importance in the Missouri Riv-
er valley. Many have been deferred from
making Bismarck their permanent resi-
dence on account of the uncertainty Of
this crossing arguing that wherever the
road crossed the river, there would be the
coming city, Many business men have
been restrained from constructing substan-
tial brick buildings on account OF this
same uncertainty. The final settlement
upon the crossing at Bismarck will lend
a fresh impulse to thousands of capital
waiting the decision Of this question be-
fore investment, and establishes thorough
confidence in the future of Bismarck.
With all'the natural resources, fertility
of soil and agricultural wealth surround
ing it, in connection with the railroad
and river traffic, and as the natural point
for supplies for the military posts of the
northwest, Bismarck will without doubt
become at an early day the Omaha of the
the northwest. ..
The bridge will be about the same
length as that at St. Louis, consisting of
three spans 400 feet long each and two
short spans 100 feet each. It will be sew
enty feet high-above low water mark.
The present road as far as Camp Hancock
will remain the same as now, and the
curve. to the landing will cross Nam
street near the Catholic Church. A cut
of about thirty feet is required on this
side of the river to make the ri ght grade.
About 200 car loads Of stone are already
piled up along the track near Baby Mine
for the Dyke and the grade to the river
from the Mandan side is nearly COM
pleted. The building Of this Dyke will
50 change the channel Of the liver that
in a short time steamboats, will likely
land at the foot of Second street. The
Dyke does not figure in the suilding Of
the bridge except that it serves to confine
the channel to width of 1900. feet in
stead of 5000 feet. The foundation of
the bridge will he the blue clay forty-fve
feet below the bottom of the river. .
In reply to letter of enquiry THE TR1-
BUNE this week received the following
from President B1llings: $50
Bismarck Tribune: ,r...E...,,
In reply to your letter Of the 9th inst, 1'beg to
say that the engineers have report ed in favor of
q high bridge at Bismarck, near the present riv-
er warehouses. 1t is proposed first, to narrow
the channel of the river to 1900 feet by con-
structing dyke from the west side. The engi
nccr in Chief is instructed to build the dyke dur
ing the season of low water this fall. l am,
Yours Respectfully,
'.aEs5 f-rt " FREDERICK BILLINGS,
... r. President N. T.. r. II.