Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-25
The Free Bridge Across the Potomac
PROPOSALS FOR A NEW STRUCTURE INDEPENDENT OF
THE AQUED UCT-Two SITES SUGGESTED.

PROPOSALS FOR NEW STRUCTURE INDEPENDENT OF
THE AQUED UCT-Two SITES SUGGESTED.
The Aqueduct Bridge Company having refused
to sell their piers to the government for the erec-
ton thereon OF free bridge, the Secretary OF War
has decided to take the preliminary steps for the
building Of such a bridge independent OF the
Aqueduct bridge piers: Under his sanction, Gen
for new bridge for which the sum OF 81 600 was
appropriated at the last session OF Congress 1t is
thought by some that this amount will not be
sufficient to build the bridge. There are two loca
tons mentioned In Gen. Aberts circular inviting
it bids for RI building the bridge One is proposes
500 feet above the AQueduct bridge.
AT THE THREE SISTERS,
about 3,100 feet above Aqueduct bridge)the rivers
width is about 1850 feet, and the bottom is be-
lieved to be solid rock, rock with covering OF
few feet only of sand and gravel Along the north
bank, and 100 feet from it, runs the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal at an elevation OF S feet above low
water of the river The canal is As feet wide, and
along It's north bank there is macadamized road
90 feet wide and AS feet above low water of the
river. The abutmentS are to be at the waterS
edge, and their faces will be about 100 feet apart
The bridge will be continued over the canal and
road. where, at the north side OF the road, it will
terminate at a retaining abutment for embank-
ment Of approach. The distance between the faces
OF the larger and smaller north abutments will be
about 200 feet The height OF roadway above low
water will be 60 feet; though with view of dimin-
lsh1ng the cost of approach on the Virginia (south)
Sde, 1t may ascend from this elevation at its north
end toward the Virginia end on a grade not ex-
ceedng one foot in one hundred feet The clear
heauWdS at caiai Shau not De less tnan Ia teel.
THE OTHER PROPOSED SITE.
At the proposed site about five hundred feet
above the Aqueduct bridge the width of the river
Is about 500 feet, and the distance between main
abutments would be about 1909 feet. with fur
ther distance OF 200 to 25 feet to the smaller abu
lnent at north side OF road. The north half of the
river width has hard bottom, the remainder being
soft The depth to rock is not known at any part
OF this section. The requirements for the struc-
ture at this site the as for the preceding,
except as to the height of roadway. which may be
a tpSl 70
CARDS approaches, but shall not be less than that
OF the Aqueduct bridge The clear headway 1t
canal Shall not be less than Ia feet
PROPOSED PLAN OF THE BRIDGE.
The bridge is to be built upon piers and abut-
ments of masonry founded upon solid rock. The
surerStructure is to be OF iron with plank roadway
and footwayS Its width is to be sufficient Tor a
double roadway, with footways on each side.
Bidders are expected to examine the sites and
ascertain for themselves the character OF ground
for foundations for piers and abutlnentS, and for
approaches, &c, and must make their own
measurements Of distances, heights and grades.
The amount appropriated for the construction OF
the bridge complete, with approaches and right OF
way, is $4,000, and proposals exceeding that
amount, or which do not include all the work con-
teinpated in the act OF appropriation, cannot be
entertained No claim for extra work or for delay
OF any kind Will be considered or paid, and the
work until every part OF it Is completed according
to the SPECIFICATIONS, and accepted by the Secre,
with the act of February 3d. 1881.
MODE OF PAYMENT
Estimates for payments will be made upon each
pier and abutment as soon as safe from damage by
freShetS. and upon entertainments as soon as rip
raped above flood line. Thereafter monthly eSti-
mates VIII be made until the structure is COM
pleted. Ten per cent will be reserved from all
payments until the entire work is completed. At
the end OF six months after the entire work shall
have been completed, if no fault OF construction,
use or Improper material, or settling OF fOunda-
tons or rembankmentS are apparent on an inSpec-
ton OF the work by the engineer the reserved per-
centages will be paid; otherwise they VIII be re-
taned until the contractor makes good the de-
ficfency, together with all damage that may have
been caused thereby.
ABOUT THE BIDS.
Proposals must be in duplicate for each or
either OF the sites for which proposals are sub
mitted, and must-be on separate forms for each
by bidders plans and specifications in detail. A
single set OF plans and drawings will suffice for
each site bid for The proposals, plans and Speci-
hcatiOnS are to include the construction of piers
structure complete, approaches cOnnec 0lg with
the most accessible road. and right of way for
same, together with all other expenditures neces-
Sary for the convenient use of the structure by the
more of the classes of work named at either or
each of the sites; also bids based on plans and
estimates differing from those described in the
specifications but made in accordance with the |
act OF February D, 1884, will be received and con-
Sldered at the same time. Proposals must be
accompanied by bond, with two suretieS, in the
sum OF 5000, in accordance with the act of Con-
greSS OF April 10, 1S1S and with the form pre-
Scrfbed. proposal unaccompanied by such
bond will not be considered. The successful bid
der Will be required to enter into written con-
tract with the United States, with good and an
proved security, in the sum OF 600, within ten
days after being notified OF the acceptance OF his
proposal.