Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-01

In the valley OF Rock Creek and the
neighboring hills In the extreme northwestern
acng the banks OF the creek to reach It, washing,
ton would be supplied with park far better suit
taken along 6otS Sides Of the SLIP
road can once be built, so that the citizens OF
Washington and our Lawmakers can go out for
themselves the wondrous beauty and adaptablliJy
OF this country for park purposes. the park would
quickly follow.
EXTENSION OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
''The completion OF the bridge at the eastern
end OF Pennsylvania avenue, thus bringing the
country across the Eastern Branch into closer
proximity 20 the heart OF the CITY. demands that
the avenue should be EXTENDED at least as far as
the Bowen road, which is very near to the District
is, as nearly as possible the direct recto.near ex-
tension OF The present avenue, N street west, ex-
tended to the Conduit and Foxall Dads.
'fhere are now only two ways OF getting out of
Georgetown 70 the west; one Is BY The New Cut
road, narrow and hilly road on the extension of
street. ana ne me other Is by the canal road on the
narrow, crowded and disagreeable tnoroUyhfare.
The grounds OF the Georgetown College stand in
the way OF the extension OF the streets intervening
between and 7. The most practicable street to
extend and the one whose extension would be of
sae greatest test dement, TO Georgetown and the people
coming from ana going to the up-river regions, is
street. ana II Is to do this that the appropriation
OF SIC, 900 is asked.
sUBURBAN STREETS.
''Under the head OF suburban streets I have
estimated for the money to grade and Improve
Roanoke and Irving streets, from 9TH to l4th and
kenesaw and Wallach streets, from It'll TO l4th.
Anyone familiar with the region north OF BOun-
dary knows that TO get from TIN to 14th it is
necessary TO go either south TO the Boundary or
north TO Whitney avenue, between the two, a dis
lance OF three-quarters Of mile, there is no
communicating streets that the AUTHORIZATIONS
asked are recommended. The streets named are
already IN legal existence, and are in proper and
vtf hn nj. S,-%-s
sion TO warrant their permanent Improvement.
The paving OF l4th street extended should be
for shs money no the top Of the h and
believe. the intention OF Congress last
year TO 40 this, but the money appropriated was
asked for Brightwood avenue for the following
reasons: The original and legal width OF THIS
avenue, the Old Baltimore Pike, was 80 feet, and
In years gone by the improvement was limited to
width OF GO feet, and people have been permitted
10 upon and Occupy The part
act legal limits Of the avenue, and to nix the
amount and nature OF encrOachment in each case.
Ihls Is not yet completed, but enough Is known
to assure this office that there will be considerable
expense attendant upon restoring it to It's proper
Width The press OF the active work OF street I'M
prOvement prevents completing the investigation
Just now, but will be carried to completion dur
Ing the coming winter.
STREET EXTENSIONS.
"There Is no subject Of more vital Importance and
interest to the city than the extension of streets
into localities beyond the boundary. The District
has suffered for years from the lack of any author
zed power TO supervise subdivisions and the eX-
tension OF streets, and in consequence many of
out not in proper conformity with any reasonable
plan OF the extension or the city. bill has lately
become law, however, by which the Commits
sioners are given power to supervise all subdivi-
sions, and are required to see that they are in
accord WITH the general plan OF the city.
Another bill is in the hands OF Congress, having
object ~ N
visions and street extensions which had grown up
In the regions just north OF the city. This bill
many reasons, 1t is impossible to lay out or con-
slider any comprehensive system OF street improve
mentS, water supply, or sewerage while the streets
are In their present uncertain and rambling con-
ditton.
.It is recommended that an appropriation of $780,
600 De asked lSr for rpa to county roads and
''Only 8, 80 OF the $4,000 appropriated In
1ss7-1ssS for Milling streets below grade has been
decided that this appropriation could only be ex-
pended on city streets.
"The current appropriation Of 1885, 1889 Of
$4,000 has much broader scope, being applicable
TO streets roads, and alleys, and for grading down
as well as filling up, the only Limit being the price
OF l0 cents per cubic yard.
c0mplished In securing grading Of streets and
roads at 10 cents per yard which would otherwise
cost several times This amount.
'FOI this purpose as much money should be ap-
prOpr1ated as can be JudictOuSly expended, and
would recommend the same sum, $4,000, for 1889
and 1890.
CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF BRIDGES
'For this an appropriation Of $12, 500 is asked
1t has been found necessary to employ two
men at the Anacostia bridge TO operate the draw
and reduce delays as much as possible. The APP
preparation i0r the ordinary care OF bridges for
1SSS-S9 was 81 500; for I8S9-9O 10 is recommended
that the amount De increased to S. 100. There
Is only one item In reference to bridges which
demands special attention. 1t is the Improvement
OF the existing
BRIDGE 10 ANACosrrA.
''The bridge to AnacOstiat is most unsatisfactory
structure, very deficient in width for the travel
overit The draw, as now constructed and OPP
Grated, Is a very great annoyance to the people
compelled COM 10 use the bridge The bridge is def
and are canted out or place. In order to prevent
further settlement and detection 1t will be neces-
twenty feet IN width with Two sidewalks OF five
feet each. 1t Is ,256 feet long between end
piers Tue an moor . Is nine feet above low
has draw-span of 30 feet on the Bescule prin-
ciple operated by man power. To raise and lower
this draw and permit The passage through, it re-
quires ordinarily about half an hour. Freuuently
trains stopped extend the full length OF the bridge
and Iar up the street leading to It, The bridge
allow the passage or anything but row boat. The
present condition OF things is the cause OF great
complaint, ana have examined into the mat
Ter careIuliy, anu recommend the follow
ing plan for the betterment of the bridge:
1sI That the bridge be raised 10 feet
vertically. and the roads and streets leading
u IL oe adjusted TO its new grade. I'd. That the
bridge be doubled In width by taking the six east
ern spans and putting them beside the six western
spans, and constructing a new draw-span, which
Will form with the present draw-Span u continuous
pasSageway through the bridge whenever neces-
sary. 81. That an em0ankment be constructed in
place OF the six spans removed from the eastern
part OF the bridge. This embankment can be
given the necessary slope to reach the grade of
the bridge. The water OF the river where It would
be constructed Is very shallow.
The height OF the bridge above the water would
permit the passage OF nearly everything which
would have occasion to 20 above the bridge, and
the draw would have to De opened but very seldom,
but would be there when required.
ESTIMATE
Estimated cost for reconstructing Anacostta
bridge, the work to include the removal OF six
spans on the Anacostia side and place them be.
side the present bridge On the Washington side
and constructing an earth Gu lseway in place OF
bridge removed,
800 piles and driving, at So. 81 ono
$4,000 feet B. n. timber and plank in foun-
dation:.. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 15OO
LUZ CUBIC yaroS OF masonry, at 500 20 600
!,VO cuolc yaroS Vi masonry, AT $l2....... 1000
bun n one Span Draw. 1900
5000 cubic yards rip-rap around founda-
ton. ........................ 1880
1000 cubic yards rtp-rap on causeway slope oO0
Taking down and setting up six spans OF
bridge: ;....................... 5000
1870 CuuIC yaIus uiiihg In cauSeway..... 1890
3,7OO square yards macadaln roadway 2'oO1
Coner-dam, pumping, and dredging. .. 5000
FLOOR beams, moor, and paintiDg........... 1000