The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-01-10

AUSTIN, Tex, january Z, 1903.
To Hon. J. NJ. Breckenridge, County Judge, and
Messrs. WellmeT, Schneider, Cloud and Glass
cock, County Commissioners, Travis county,
Texas:
Gentlemen beg to report progress on
construction of the fve-span iron highway
bridge at Montopolis Ford, crossing the
Colorado river, in Travis county, as fol-
lows, to-wit:
Flrst-The first set of tubular piers
upon the south side, thirty C30) feet in
height, in place, all stIutted and braced
and filled with concrete, ready to receive
the last section and cap.
This section of tubing will be three (3)
feet in height. This have ascertained to
be necessary that the bottom chord of the
bridge, and lowest portion of the floor
system shall be, when finished, five (5)
feet beyond the highest disputed point of
high water attained during the food of
1869, and, in my opinion, much higher
than the best authenticated location of
that disputed level, and of any probable
future contingency of flood.
This set OF piers is leveled and sunk
eight (S) inches into the solid, natural
ledge of rock at that point and then
bolted into its position with dove-tailed
dowel bolt, which firmly secures the tubes
in place.
The second set of piers in the deep
channel of the river are also sst on q
solid, natural rock-bed aud foundation.
The upstream tube is fourteen (14) feet
below the gravel bed of the river, and the
downstream tube is about twelve (12) feet
below it.
These tubes are secured to the rock
bottom by driving IA inch iron bolts,
pointed with steel, to penetrate any soft
or doubtful ok until the points entered
the hardest uck several inches, and then
resisted further driving, the bolt heads
becoming too badly battered and split.
The tubes thus secured have been filled
in one case with concrete thirty-six 1857
feet high, IN the other thirty eight 1887
feet high, now remaining to complete
them fifteen (l5) feet upon one and sew
enteen (17) feet upon the other; this will
level them to the height of the first piers
and make them in all fifty three (53) feet
high.
All the iron tubing and caps, as we'll as
braces and struts, are rivetted in sections
ready to place in position and finish out
this set of pierre, as we'll as all the other
the iron of spans en- route. Two car loads
were shipped on December ~ and 20
ultimo, and are about due at this point.
The third set of piers are in place,
strutted and braced, and filled thirty three
1887 feet up. This set of tubes are on a
hard conoreted gravel foundation, filed
with piles twenty five (25) feet long, which
penetrate the gravel twenty (20) feet. The
inch spaces between the remaining five
(5) feet length of heads of piles above the
gravel bed of river is filed with concrete,
and the entire tubes are filled with con
crete above the piles to the caps of tubes.
In all cases in water the concrete is
made with gravel and Portland (English)
cement, Francis Nine Films, London, brand,
according to well recognized formula. In
all other cases the specified proportion of
lime cement and gravel has been adopted
and used.
Fourth-The foundation of the fourth
(4th) set of pier tubes have been leveled
up ready to receive the piling, which will
be done within few days. Now, the two
(2) engines are employed in driving piles
for the staging and false work required 10
put up the spans across the stream, and
IN filling the remaining portions of the
first three (3) sets of piers with conc rete.
Fifth--The foundations of the fifth (5th)
set of tubes is also ready for
receiving the piling and finishing
out their lengths and Gaping to level of
the ther piers.
Sixth-All the tubing is ribetted and
ready to set in place. The false work,
scaffoldiDg or staging, is being rapidly
hni IN raia m n q
as the parts are received. The two car
loads now in transit will shortly be here,
and assurance and advices received from
the King Bridge company that all Others
will follow in rapid succession 9 to avoid
any delay in construction and progress Of
the work.
All the gravel has been hauled to make
concrete to fill the piers. All the cement
is on hand for the same purpose. All the
piling and lumber in floors and construc-
ton, as we'll as all implements
and contractors plant is on hand for
completing the work.
This week an "extra" gang of bridgy
hauds will be employed and worked be
Mr.. Jackson M. Oliver, who came here
! Saturday the 9th inst. to assist his
brother in pushing the construction.
Mr.. G. Marion Oliver will still continue
constructing with the other two (2) gangs,
who have done such expeditions work of
late, Notwithstanding the difficult stages
of the river and the unfavorable season
to obtain the special foundations.
have the pleasure herewith to submit
for examination of your honorable court
the working drawings of the bridge spans
just received from the King Bridge com
pany's works. A careful comparison
with the original contract drawings will
show that the originals are strictly adj
hered to in detail, and justify that the
executed work will. show skillful work
manship, security, permanence, and the
excellence called for by the contract and
selection of the Cantilever bridge made
by your honorable court.
have further to state that, since the
last estimate, and from now on, the weekly
pay rolls amount to from $500 to 5000
} paid out for construction. Six hundred
and forty dollars more have been paid out
for the two (2) last carloads of Portland
cement, and over one thousand ($1,000)
dollars have been advanced and paid
out for railroad freight. In allowing
| the issue of fifteen thousand dollars
($15,O00) bonds, in payment for the work
50 far advanced, your honorable court has,
in contract and work, full value received
Finally, have 10 direct the attention OF