Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-10
A TWIN-CITY BRIDGE.
Colonel James P. Andrews Makes a
Valuable Suggestion.
THE CITIES TO BUILD MUTUALLY,
A FOur-Track and Wide FOOtway Structure
Suggested.
HOW s45O,OOo COULD BE SUBSCRIBED

While representative of The DISPATCH
was conversing yesterday with Colonel
James P. Andrews, the veteran engineer,
the latter mentioned most feasible plan for
securing free bridge between Pittsburg
and Allegheny. He was slightly disin-
clined to allow of the use of his name in con-
nection with the plan, but after being per-
suaded that the community always looked
to public-spirited citizens for progressive
ideas, he consented to the publication of his
plan in his own words.
Colonel Andrews said: 'The efforts of
the Pittsburg, Allegheny and Manchester
line to obtain right of way across the Sixth
street bridge for cable railway have been
keenly interesting to both Alleghenians and
Pittsburgers. 1t means rapid transit be-
tween two great cities, and, upon the prin-
ciple that time is money, great saving to
many. Pittsburg has been compelled to
hold off Allegheny at arms length many
years on account OF the amount of time con-
sumed in getting across the river. don't
know whether the two cities will ever grow
together or not, but am sure that if any
thing could operate as barrier to such a
contamination it is set Of toll bridges, the
owners of which are too engrossed In money
making to pay any attention to the needs Of
the communities.
FANCY PRICES ASKED.
1.-THE Pleasant Valley Company pur-
chased its own bridge to be sure and is in
possession OF every means necessary to Sc
cure rapid transit so far as its line is con-
cerned. But the Ninth street bridge is too
far up stream to be of any material account
in the food of travel between the centers of
the two cities.
Gas to the Seventh street bridge am in
formed that very fancy price is asked for
it; price far in advance of what 1T cost to
erect, and no bridge is as good as new after
term Of years hard wear. 1 have seen
newspaper statement that the Sixth street
bridge cannot be bought for million dol
lars, and also a statement that the Pittsburg,
Allegheny and Manchester Railway Com
pany will have to buy the bridge to change
it in order to operate cable. As to such
figure, it is preposterous and absurd.
FOR NEW BIG BRIDGE.
SCI could build a bridge for from 500. 900
to $3.50, 900, which would be twice as wide
as any bridge now spanning any of the
rivers. It would have four sets of tracks
and big, wide footwalks, and would allow
Of rapid traction or electric cars run in any
manner and at any reasonable rate of speed.
As for the roadways and footways, they
could be ample to accommodate any amount
of traffic Four hundred and fifty thousand
dollars is an outside estimate Of what a
magnificent and substantial bridge could be
constructed for at the present time, for all
materials to be used are now very reasonable
compared with several years ago."
But how could the bridge be paid for in
such a manner as to make it free, Colonel?"
"Why, simply enough. The city of Pitts
burg and the city of Allegheny could COM
bine with either one or two rapid transit
companies and construct the bridge. Say
that the cities each put in S125, 900 and the
transit companies furnished the remainder
for the franchises involved.
WOULD BE A GOOD INVESTMENT.
1t would be a capital investment and
could be operated very economically and
controlled in every sense by the citizens.
Enough money is invested in foliage every
year on those bridges now in existence to
paw for such a structure as / propose as q
plan"
"You seem to be believer in rapid
transit?"
Indeed am. A large proportion Of the
fast travel across the bridges between the
two cities would ride, if riding was fast and
reasonable. If patrons of the Ft. Wayne
road could be whirIed across the river and
to the depot at a decent rate OF speed thev
would become patrons of such q road.
Although have not examined the Sixth
street bridge critically lately, should
imagine that rapid transit over it would not
be feasible. Over new and strongly con-
structed bridge anything could be done.
The only way the two cities can secure free
bridges is by combination against the ex-
isting bridges"