Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-09-28
THE UNION BRIDGE.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO-
DAY.
Some Of the Things Suggested by Walk Across
it Yesterday-A Beautiful View, and a
Great Convenience TO Our
People

The announcement yesterday morning,
that the footwalk on the Union railroad
bridge would be thrown open to the public
to-day. created a great deal of inter
est throughout this city and Martins Ferry,
and yesterday quite a number Of people
went up to the bridge to look at the big
structure in its practically completed state,
while not few of the more adventurous
spirits climbed up to the roadway although
the stairway at the eastern end was not
quite completed and walked across the
bridge. Those who made the trip were am
ply repaid for the time and troubleinvolved
in the undertaking, albeit the weather was
quite cool, and a cutting wind from the
north made overcoats very comfortable.
AT the eastern end of the bridge, during
the afternoon. a force of men were DUSTY
engaged putting in the last few steps of the
stairway. and last evening this work was
completed, affording easy access to the
roadway A few wOrkmen are putting up
angle bars on the east end OF the channel
span, and at the west end OF the same span
painters are puttinga second coat OF DrlghJ
red paint on the great mass OF steel com
posing the truss At various points on the
bridge men were clearing umoers, IRON
bolts. coils of rope. etc, off the foot-walk
and roadway. and by this morning the
bridge will be comparatively clear, al
though still, Of necessity, containing con-
siderable amount of stuff belonging TO the
contractors. This will be gradually re
moved. as the finishing touches are put on,
and i'm n week or so the bridge will be COM
plete and clear.
The stairway at the east end of the bridge
rises Just at the west side OF the 'Pewlky
track starting at the south line of the
hridge and running north as IL rises, TO
platform. where il turns 10 the west, sun
under the bridge, rising to a second plat
form. and thence bending to the north and
west until the pedestrian strikes the level
of the roadway at the north side OF the
bridge There the long stretch OF the loot
walk cOnfrOnts him, curving slightly at
first toward the west and then stretching
ont in a straight line for nearly two thOus-
and feet The stairway is composed of oak
steps, set in a steel frame of great strength,
and the pedestrian is afforded ample pro
lection bv a substantial railing. The loot
walk is about six feet broad tioored with
stout oak plank, and on either side is a
close railing about four and a half or five
feet high. The level of the walk is about
TWO feet above the level of the railroad
rails. and passenger walking across will
be as safe as upon the suspension bridge or
any other that can be named, whether the
danger be regarded as coming from the
passage of trains or danger of fall. At
the Martins Ferry side the descent is by a
stairway similar to that on the West Nir-
ginia side of the river, this descent being
broken by two large platforms.
The view from the bridge, elevated rs 1t
is one hundred feet above the river, is
splendid one, especially looking down the
stream. From the west end of the struc-
ture a charming view of the city, the river,
the Island and the Ohio shore is obtained,
and looking north the view is scarcely less
delightful while fine bird 's-eye glimpse
of Martins Ferry is obtained 10 the west
and northwest There will, in time to
come. be no more inviting afternoon stroll
than is afforded by a walk over this great
Ugion bridge, and it can be predicted with
entire safety, that the public once becom-
ing familiar with it. the bridge will spring
into immediate and great popularity
To-day and this evening, the bridge will
be open to the free passage and inspection
of the public. and it is likely it will be
crossed by thousands.