Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-24
VIEWS-OF WHITCOMB
WHAT THIS ENGINEER TnINksAeouT
THE PROPOSED VlADUcT.
He Prcfors Marshall Street and Insists
that the Structure Should BE at
Least Forty Feet Wide.

Major II. ID. Whitcomb, one Of the
best-informed and most experienced en-
gineers in Richmond, was seen by q Dis
patch reporter yesterday afternoon and
asked to give an expression Of his views
with reference TO tho proposed viaduct
10 connect Shockoe and Church hills
This gentleman has had extensive expe-
rience in work Of this character. he
was for number Of years in charge OF
or connected with the engineering do
partments OF the Richmond and Ale
ghany, Chesapeake and Ohio, and other
railroads, and has prepared plans for and
superintended the building OF great
numbers of trestles and bridges. de Is
now member of the firm OF Talcott q
Whitcomb, consulting engineers, being
associated with Colonel L. NJ. X. Talcott,
who is one OF the most accomplished rail-
road managers and builders IN the
South.
PREFERS MARSHALL sTREEr.
"I think Marshall street would be de-
cidedly the best place for the viaduct,
said Major Whitcomb, "as the street
would not be obstructed by it there.
Moreover, the bridge would not hayeto be
SO long. 1t could extend over Marshall
from College street to the rear OF Trinity
church, or in that vicinity, making only
a distance OF seven or eight squares
"It is my opinion, continued the en-
gineer. that it could hardly be bnlit
upon Broad without bong somewhat OF
an obstruction to vehicles passing under
meath: certainly this would be the case
il the viaduct was made sufficiently wide
10 render it a leading thoroughtare, WITH
double street-csr tracks, a passage Tor
vehicles, and two sidewalks.
SHOULD BE WIDE.
"The minimum width of the bridge.
think, should be at least forty-five
feet possibly il would be well to have 1t
as much as sixty feet.
Under these circumstances IL ap-
pears to me that Marshall street would
be decidedly the best place to have the
structure, as this section could be more
easily spared by the city. and certainly
the passage Of vehicles here could not be
obstructed. 1t is true that the section OF
Marshall street which would have to be
compassed is not very desirable one,
but that is no reason why the bridge
should not traverse it, and / hear that
there is some talk of removing the Jail.
NOT A GOOD FOUNDATION
at would be hard to get o solid
foundation on some parts OF Broad
street, as portions of that thoroughfare
are graded with made earth.
- heartily approve the idea OF con-
meeting the two portions of the city,
concluded Mr.. Whitcomb, "snd have
thought over it for many years. The
viaduct could be made an ornament tc
the city. At a rough guess | should say
it would cost between S25O,OOO and
$500, 900"
| FAVORED By COLONEL TALCorT.
Colonel Talcott, who was present
while bis partner was talking, also ap
peared 70 feel considerable interest II
the matter and to approve the scheme
These gentlemen arc the engineers IL
CHARGE OF the construction of the north
side viaduct.
Some idea Of the expense Of the pro
posed bridge 10 connect the two section
of Broad street can be ascertaiDed whe
it is known that the northside structure
which is TO be about 1900 feet long, vii
cost S75, COO This bridge will be severn
feet wider than the Free bridge.
| Colonel Talcott agrees with Malo
Whitcomb that it is entirely practicable
to build such bridge as is needed. an'
both indulge in the hope that this enter
prise will be undertaken IN the nea
future.