Evening star., 1880-02-04
A Mammoth Sewer.
DRAINAGE OF WASHINGTON INTO THE CHANNE
OF THE POTOMAC.

DRAINAGE OF WASHINGTON INTO THE CHANNEL
OF THE POTOMAC.
Work on the New York avenue intercepting
sewer has ceased for several weeks past owing
to the appropriation made last year having been
expended. In view of the large number of men
who had been employed on this Job, and the un-
usually favorable weather for the prosecution
OF the work, 1t seems unfortunate that the con-
tractors were obliged to cease operations The
finishing up of this great outlet to our sewerage
is part OF, and may be considered an import
ant adjunct to, the contemplated river front i'm
provement, a beginning OF which the District
commissioners hope to effect the coming sea-
son. The appropriation has been expended in
constructing the sewer across the White Lot
and up 18th street as far as New York
avenue, and partially constructing the
twenty-four foot span section into which will
empty the New York avenue sewer, the b street
sewer, and several others draining the southern
slope OF the western portion OF the city. This
immense arch has been most difficult part of
the sewer laid by the board OF public works
from the foot OF 18th street, diagonalIy across
the marshes, and replacing with the twenty
four foot arch sewer. Piles have had to be driven
On which to lay the foundation walls, and ON
which to construct the floor OF the sewer. In
eXcavating for this sewer, the constant how OF
water into it from the ooze has had to be pumped
out while the pile and masonry work was being
done, involving great trouble and expense. Some
idea OF the extent of this work may be had
by stating the quantity of material used and
section, there has been 1850 cubic yards Of
earth eXcavated, 1882 subic yards rubble stone
masonry laid, 545 cubic yards OF brick masonry,
4sO cubic yards concrete and cubic yards Of
range rubble masonry laid, 1865 lineal feet OF
piles driven, and 0,000 feet OF timber used. To
complete this sewer as contemplated, from 18TH
to 7th streets, the cost viii not be far from
$2s,0O0; replacing the bituminouS pavement
s. 500, and to complete the outlet $4,000 will be
required to be appropriated. The form of the
outlet is segmental brick arch, "a feet span
ri ,in1,t .,fxJ,
OF blue stone masonry, 5 feet high, 6k feet
thick, with spandrels OF concrete masonry.
Inc foundation Is Of timber-planking On sills
10 by 10 fastened 10 piles sill tfmbers three feet
apart and the piles % feet long; SIS new piles.
besides the old ones SS5 In number which came
within the line have been used. The flooring
under the walls ls Of inch timber. One hun
dred and forty-five nneal feet of the archway
has now been completed, and there Is $50 more
feet to construct The work has been thus far
done In the most satisfactory manner, receiving
the entire approval of Engineer Commissioner
Twining, and his assistant, Lieut.. Hoxie The
estimated cost of digging out the open
canal from the end OF the outlet sewer
The White Lot section to 18th street and New
York avenue, embraces LAG lineal feet of three
ling brick, feet inside diameter, circular
ton, sides and launches. The average depth OF
excavation was 16h feet. There are fiye man
holes In the White Lot. There yet remains 100
18th street section there has been constructed
1,154 hneal feet OF this sewer of two ring thick
ness and six feet three inches inside diameter on
similar foundation. The average depth Of exca-
walton has been 20 feet, and all the necessary
man-holeS have been constructed Thera
yet remains to be completed of this
1925 feet, running as far as 1ath street
There also remains 70 be done s25 feet of feet
inside diameter; 90 feet Of ~ feet diameter. and
577 feet of 81 feet diameter to carry it tf mn
street, as contemplated. The area to be drained
Is all nofthof New York avenue to street. and
between 7th and 18th streets northwest The
firm being composed OF MeesrH D. B. Cooper.
W. ]. WhftthOTne and B. ]. C0yle ar. T..W
Jayc0x has been acting as assistant engineer In
charge OF the work, with NJ. G. T. Curtis as In
spector.