The daily gazette., 1882-05-17
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ZEE rMIRp srREEr nR1peE.
Some Ideas sugEested by Those whs
Profess TO Know, and Few Genera

Some ideas Suggested by Those VINO
! Profess TO Know, and Few General
Remarks ON the Subject. fief ll.f
| It is more than likely that on Tuesday
| next some definite action will be taken by
the bridge committe> of the Levy Court in
| relation to the Third street bridge matter.
The subject Is still freely discussed, and
various plans and suggestions have been
promulgated among the parties most inter
ested. One gentleman in expressing, as he
remarked, the sentiment Of hundreds of
| other, declared that there was no necessity at
all for removing the Third street bridge,
even though a new structure should Sc
| placed ct Fourth street. There was sufficient
travel, he claimed, to warrant both the re-
pairing of the old bridge and the erection of
the new. The Third street structure has
been In use for about fifteen years, and the
land approaches thereto on either side are
substantial and in good condition; and then
the inconvenience to arise should 1t be re-
moved to those obliged TO travel a block or
two further to cross TO the west side would
be more than considerable. Perhaps 1t
might be little in advance of the times, he
continued but one thingwas certain, and that
was there should be more bridges connecting
the west and east shores of the Christiana.
Il was not for the levy Court to remove
bridges to other localities, but to keep in
order those already in use and put
up more new ones. The Third
street bridge Is without doubt IN bad
condition. Not only is the west end
Of the structure in. shaky condition, but
the woodwork, too, Of the entire structure is
more or less rotten or decayed. In some
places the handrail is SO badly water soaked
and rotted that It is nearly broken off with
the thumb and finger. In opposition to the
plan of two bridges the objection is set forth
that the obstruction TO navigation by having
two draws so close together would be very
great, and navigation retarded too much.
That objection, however, is apparently in
significant, inasmuch as In other cities, q
notable instance being Chicago, draw
bridges are very numerous, and the number
Of crafts passing in and out many times
more than those using the waters of the
Christiana. By doing away with the Third
street bridge a large strip of good roadway
on either side would be rendered useless and
OF no account. The removing Of the struct-
ure would really make no difference to the
coming generation, but to those who have
crossed and recrossed 1t for years q deviation
In the route means annoyance and changing
Of fixed habits. Another suggestion is that
new bridge be erected at Third street
proper, following or continuing the line
Of the street at the west side. The east end
Of the bridge would then be almost at the
same point where one of the proposed Fourth
street routes would come. That would
necessitate the making of only one embank-
ment or land approach, and that on the
east side. Either Fourth street route would
require moro or less of an embankment at
the west approach A plea in favor of two
bridges is that at present the great travel
over the bridge Is frequently retarded by the
frequent passage of boats through the struc-
ture, and that two routes across the stream
wOuld'so divide the traffic as to preclude the
possibility of a jam or much delay to
wagons. One or the other of the draws
would always be shut Only one
really serious objection Is made to the build
ing of the Fourth street bridge and that is on
account of the curve in the river at that
point and the strong current setting In
toward the west shore. Vessels coming in
with the tide have TO exercise especial eau
ton in clearing the rocks at jackson Il
Sharp's, and 1t is not until after passing the
Fourth street wharf that the current sets in
square for the Third street draw. The same
thing is of course experienced in going out
with the tide. Now, were the bridge at
Fourth street the prophecy is made that
collisions with the structure would be of
almost daily occurrence, and IT would be
serious matter for vessels to successfully pass
through the draw while making the turn in
the river and fighting against the toward
shore current at the same time There is no
doubt but that the Levy Court has fully ex
amined the matter In all its bearings, and
the citizens are perfectly willing to leave
the entire matter in its hands.