Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-23
SIZE CAPTAINS SIDE.
new BxtDeE WAITED.
A Stronger structure Needcd Bc-
tween Richmond anG 1Eanche@ter.

1ween Rfchrnond ana 1IanChe$ter
II il probable that instead % repairing the
present Free bridge spanning James river
and connecting the cities OF Richmond aud
Manchester an entirely neW structure will
be bui.t.
Atanv rate the commissioners have such
y scheme under consideration, and Eall-
ncer Reuben Sherihs is preparing estimates
Of the cost Oi constructing a new orinee 10
meet the demands Of the heavy travel that
passes over this important thoroushisre
As soon az he is ready io make ms report
a meeting Of the commissioners will be held
at which the whole subject VIII be dis
cussed.
The plan ia as yet In an niantile state, but
II meets with the hesrty endorsement Of Mr..
ehcrids. who has the reputation Of being
thoroughly competent engineer, and the
commissioner It is thought, look upon 1t
with favor. At their meeting Tuesday eve
ming the subject was briefly tailed over, but
no action taken.
TIE COST.
Tho Councils Of Richmond and Manchester
recently appropriated $4,000 on behalf Of
each civ 10 repair the bridge, as it hal been
examined by two engineers and pronounced
hv both 10 be in an unsafe condition for
heavy travel. j. WAS decided, however, that
not exceeding $4,000 should be used for
this work, aud Mr. Sherils was employed 10
superintend the WORK.
lie was Of the opinion after his first In
spcction that The bridge could be put in tho.
rough repair and made as strong - when
new Tor 6. 600 or $4,000, but upon more
careful examination when preparing specih.
cations for tine repairs the engineer round
that the bridge was not in a. good condition
as he thought. lie Is now - the opinion
tina, II would cost SD. 900 or more 10 make II
a, strong as il should hc. though with less
than bali that sum It could be very securely
patched mp.
II seems that certain bolts, on which rests
the bulk OF the pressure, are less than three
inchesin size. whereas 10 support the Welgat
that the bridge il expected to bear these
should be over three and half inches. The
Lreakng Of any one OF these might cause
4 serious mishap at any time.
10 replace these with larger ones would
necr,sitate taking ont nearly an Of the iron-
work and charging the openings, which
would not only cost a great deal, but weaken
the braces in which The cmtings are eX-
tended.
Tue new bridge. az proposed TO be con-
structed, will cost perhaps not more than
$4,000 or $4,000. and tho iron IN the old
onr would realize some $1,000 or $4,000. II
il TO lie OF capacltv sufficient 10 bear auy
weight and horses may be driven over il IN
+, troi 81 well as IN walk. IL will also be
free from the oscillation TO which the present
Que Is subject
No HEAVY LOADS.
notice has been posted al each end 0i
the bridge stating that on and after May 3Otn
no yyagon or truck with four wheels carrS.
iDs more than 5000 pounds and no two
wheel cart carving over 1900 pounds shall
cross TIE bridge. The notice also says that
after this date no two or more heavy loads
shall be allowed on any one span at the same
time.
when the present Free bridge was built,
about sixteen years ego, the travel between
richmond and Manchester and the South
side counties was comparatively SmliI. Now
II Is immense, and a much stronger bridge
X needed now than could well he antici-
psted then.
ANEW CARLINE.
The commissioners meeting Tuesday eye~
ming was called especially 10 consider an
oppiicstion from Mr.. John c. Robertson, OF
baltimore, for the right OF way 10 run an
other sireet.csr line over the bridge.
Mr. Robertson was not present, but Iet-
ter was read from him asking that be be
granted permission to cross the bridge.
either 10 use the present tracks n satisfactory
arrapSeRents could be made with the owner,
MIR. Bryan, or to lay new tracks under tue
direction OF competent engineer. lie
offered TO pay $3.50 per aunum Toward The
maintenance OF the bridge from the time hrs
ears begin 10 run. No action was taken, but
Mr.. Robertson will be given a hearing al
scne future time.
Itts understood thst In this matter Mr..
Robert.on represents the Messrs. Abel OF