The Washington critic., 1885-12-29
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The recent report of Major Hams
on the Long Bridge and Aqueduct
Bridge makes very plain--plainer per-
haps, than ever before--the necessity
for such radical notifications in the
character Of these antiquated struc
lures as practically amount to their re.
placement with bridges of modern and
better design.
This necessity, il is needless to state
becomes more urgent year by year, as
the bridges deteriorate in strength and
safety from natural causes aud grow
less and less adapted to the purposes
for which they were originally built
Changed conditions demand entirely
changed constructions.
The improvements of the harbor now
in progress, by cnlarging facilities for
commerce may reasonably be expected
TO bring about new era in the trade
both of Washington and Georgetown.
Major Hains shows conclusively that the
bridges as they now stand are not only
an obstruction to navigation, but to n
certain extent an obstacle to the com
pletion of the improvements proposed; !;
also, that the Long bridge especially,
by reason Of its faulty plan and loca-
tion, is becoming more and more liable
10 damage and possible destruction by
freshets
There Is another important considera-
tion that ought not TO be overlooked.
The erection of new bridge at this
point or near by is virtually part of
the elaborate system Of improvements
which has been inaugurated and upon
which considerable money has already
been expended, with the joint object
of identifying the city, enhancing its
sanitary welfare and promoting the
commercial value of the harbor. The
time is but few years distant when
the reclaimed flats will be converted
into picturesque adornmeut of the
National Capital with approaches of a
similarly attractive character. Public
taste as well as public policy will there
fore require the removal of the un.
slightly river crossing, which even now
defaces the landscape, and the substi.
tuition of a bridge more in keeping with
the symmetry of its surroundings and
at the same time equal TO the constantly
increasing demands of travel ami
traffic.
Certainly, the new bridge which is
TO span the Potomac here, the chief
connecting link between the sections
in the railway system of the Atlantic
States, should be massive and perma-
nent structure and also of an archi.
tectural beauty to correspond with the
other magnificent improvements that,
as it were, lead up to this great thor
oughfarc. II Is not to be the bridge of
a decade or generation, but for all
time, and the country which is watch
ing with just pride the progress of the
works under charge of Major Hams,
by which such wonderful benefits and
transformations are to be wrought, will
complain of no expenditure that may
be deemed essential to the proper re-
construction of both the bridges named.
1t is matter in which the residents
Of the District Of Columbia are not
alone concerned. 1t is of consequence
TO every one who visits the District, to
all who have TO do with our transporta-
ton and maritime interests, to citizens
of the country generally who, feeling
certain sense of proprietorship in the
seat of government, naturally desire its
rapid aud substantial advancement in
all the attributes of great Capital.