Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-10

ments on the Potomac flats, ana through his pro-
feSsionai skill engineering dlmcultles nave peen
overcome there that seemed at first almost inSur-
mountable Col. Hams was detailed TO have charge
OF the construction or the new Aqueduct bridge.
He has charge also, of the OF me new
bridge across the Eastern Branch. He Is man OF
pleasing address, always approachsoie. and is
much liked by the citizens with whom ne comes
in contact.
THE CONSTRUCTION.
All of the material used In the construction OF
the bridge is new with the exception OF the eight
masonry piers and abutment that supported the
old structure. The Workmanship In these piers Is
OF an excellent quality, and while not considered
by engineers as the very best, the piers were
thought to be strong enough to stand the wear CT
many years TO come. Tnere Is not a stlck OF TIM
found in the new. Even the piers were stripped
OF their copings and re-capped with a handsome
edge OF hard stone. Beginning on the District side
the bridge consists first or one through span l6O
feet in length. BY. through span is meant one OF
which the weight is supported by overhead trestle
work. This bridges the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal which formerly divided at this point, one
stream flowing down to the locks and thence into
across the bridge in trough under the footway to
Virginia. The presence OF this water, which con-
tinuously leaked through the rotten timbers made
boating and sailing on the river very uncomfort-
able while impairing the strength OF the bridge.
OVER THE CANAL
at the point where the canal used to enter the
triangle is the treste. This Is 127 feet long and
brings the bridge out to the edge Of the river
long, having for their support the immense abut-
ments or piers that come straight up out OF the
muddy current as though they intended to stand
forever against the subtle wearing OF the tide,
They are slightly pointed on the up-river side 90
as TO break and turn the large masses OF ice that
come sweeping down the river In the spring. A
couple OF years ago, little earlier In the season
than now. the ice gorged between this point and
little Falis and when IL broke the cakes came
Crashing down and piled high against the piers OF
the bridge Thousands OF people went out on the
structure to witness the grand sight, until 1t was
feared that the timbers would give way. THIS
DANGER. however, Is now at an end. The
BRIDGE It is thought, will safely hold Is many O.
can Be crowded upon Its floor.
The total length OF the bridge IL ], :313 feet At
the VIRGINIA end there is an earthen approach 700
feet lOnr This Will be sodded and planted with
trees and shrubs, and viii, it Is thought, be an
Improvement over the old causeway that once led
to the bridge on that side.
THE ROADWAY
Is "a feet wide In the clear, and each sidewalk IL
feet In width, thus making rhe entire bridge 3e
feet wide on the through span, the one scross
me canal the clear "headway," or distance nom
the moor 70 the nrst beam b IA feet and there
is ssheadway" OF II feet from the surface OF the
water in the canal TO the lowest member Of the
bridge The sidewalks are 66 feet above low tide
The flooring Is particularly good. beng lAio q
two courses IN diagonally opposite d1reciionA
The total thickness Il 1nche1 the 1ewer course
being inches and the upper fnches thick,
TnB DELAY m TuB Wogx.s
ops of ne psinmpal cauese g hi ysas eelay n