Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-05-19
HIGH STREET BRIDGE.
Conference Between the City Council and
Officials of the @. O. O. & l. and
I. B. & W. Railroads.
A Bridge to Cost ss8, $50 suggested-The
Railroad Companies and the City to
Pay Each One-Thi rd-A Right of
Way In Dispute.


the one that was destroyed by the STORM last
Wednesday, there was large lobby at the
meeting last night.
A conference between members of COun-
ell and city officials, and officials of the c.
c. {. n and |. b. X W. railways, was
held yesterday afternoon, but no action of
definite nature was taken. 1t was arranged
that the railway officials should attend
the meeting of Council, so the that
whole matter pertaining to the erection of
the new bridge could then and there be dis
cuSSed.
Superintendent Blee. General Manager
Beach and General Attorney PoppIeton, of
the c. c. c. X l., Superintendent Van
| TaSsle and General Solicitor Fairbanks. of
the |. b. II W, were present at the meeting
last night. After the first of the routine
business had been transacted, President
Thomas suggested that the High street
bridge question be opened for discussion and
that the railroad officials be afforded an Op-
pOrtunity TO make their statements with
reference to the subject
Mr.. Poprleton, of the c. C. c. x l.,
opened the discussion for the railroads. He
said that the contract which his company
had with the city was not very clear and
contained many legal defects, by which the
c. c. c. & l. might avoid the payment of
any portion of the money required to erect
the new bridge; but, notwithstanding that,
they proposed 10 stand with the city and
with the |. b. x W. in this, their common
loss, and assist in the construction of the
new bridge. He was of opinion. however,
that when a bridge was built it should be
made as strong and durable as possible,
and he intimated very strongly that
his company would not aid in
the construction of any other kind of bridge.
He stated that the plans which had already
been considered provided for bridge of 9s
feet span, that is, % feet longer than the
old one. The railroads desired that the cut
under the bridge be so feet from the east
10 the west abutmentS. A cut with a width
of 90 feet clear which would be- nine feet
wider than the cut was, would permit of
four tracks being laid through 1t, and the |
increasing business of the roads made |
fourth track almost necessity. Mr.. |
POppletOn stated that they wanted |
a firSt-class bridge, set on the best masonry |
that could be put down. If such bridge
was constructed his company would pay |
One-third of the cost. A bridge of the
kind that had been talked of would cost
Sl0.7sG. The masonry would cost $4,000
more, making the total cost of the bridge
about Sa6, $50. Approximately the entire
structure would cost the two railroad com
panies and the city 500 each.
Mr.. Fairbanks stated that the |. b. Il W.
stood ready 10 do its part in the cOnstruc-
ton of a. first-claSs bridge. The old
structure was very tlimsily built
and he hoped that n similar bridge was not
being contemplated by anybody. He agreed
with Mr.. PoppletOn As To the kind of bridge
10 be built, and his remarks We're in the
same vein.
President Thomas then asked Mr.. POpple-
ton if his road was willing to bear its share
of the expense of erecting the bridge.
Yes, sir" he replied. Without regard to
or anything else, We are ready To
pay one-third of the expense"
''Shall the work be directed by the city or
the railroad companies?" inquired President
Thomas.
Mr.. POppleton 1T is my idea that the
plans and specifications be agreed upon by
all parties, and then that the city conduct
the work. OF course, if you desire the ser
advisory way with your city engineer and
your committees, but it is proper that the
city superintend the work. Springfield is
more interested. in fact. than the railroad
as it is one of your main
whereas the railroad com
panies have nothing to do with the bridge
and only utilize the space beneath it."
Mr.. Nets then raised the question as to
who would furnish the ground necessary
10 make the cut nine feet wider.
I'VE expect the city to furnish us the
right of way" said Mr. POppletOn.
This raised breeze. Mr.. Kidder said
that if the railroad companies wanted any
greater right of way off the property of
private citizens they would have to pay for
it themselves as the city was under no oh
legation TO furnish it. He said that
the city would doubtless grant the compa-
nies the extra nine feet of the city property,
but that was as much as it could do.
Mr.. Beach suggested that as the new
plans called for only nine feet greater width
than at present four and one-half feet could
be taken of each side, and on the west side
the four and one-half feet would come of
the street and the city school property. The
west wing wall of the bridge would in that
ease amply protect the school grounds.
The matter was discussed further, but no
ietinite conclusion reached. 1t was finally
agreed that the committee on city improve
nents meet with the railroad officials on the
ground at nine O'Clock Saturday morning
md then canvass the matter thoroughly