Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1890-03-08
SATURDAY. MARCH 8, 1900
The Broome street Bridge Boom


Tho unanimous action taken at a
large meeting OF the Board of Trade
last night indicates the general senti-
ment Of the people upon tho location
OF the proposed new bridge over the
Brandy wine. Since Brooms street
has been brought to the foregronn d
and Its advantages properly under
stood we can easily see why Washing.
ton street has 90 suddenly waned In
public favor though the time will un
doubleday come in the history OF viii.
mington when . bridge will be also
necessary at that point. Several strong
Arguments were presented laet night
BY Col. Locke why the bridge should
be thrown across the Brandywine at
Broome street, Arguments which must
be potent with fair minded people. In
the first place, Washington street Ia
too near Market street unless other
bridges were soon to be erected farther
up the stream, an expectation not
likely soon 10 be realized, as bridges At
their cheapest are costly Injuries.
From Market street to the High Bridge
at Rising Sun, Broome street is about
one-third the distance and more aces
sible to the large scope of territory to
the north and west Of Wilmington
being rapidly populated. A few years
ago Wilmington had Washington
street boundary but the rapid increase
Of population has swept this imaginary
line away ont to Mt. Salem avenue.
The new bridge in going up to Broome
street is only keeping pace with the
population.
In the second place . bridge al
Broome street can be built for much
less money than at Washington street.
Col. Locke, who has had much expe-
rience in bridge building, says that
only one long span and two abutmenls
will be required, whereas at Washing
ton street three spans, two pillars and
two abutments will be necessary. In
the third place Broome street is the
natural apex of the city, the division
line from which the city gradually
slopes to the Delaware and rccedes to
the interior. A public thoroughiare
from Elliott's Hill across the Brandy
wine and on towards Newport would
m IKE broome street tho boulevard of
Wilm'ngton. which would be giving
II the character that nature seems to
have designed. The cost of the
bridge or how grand bridge shall lie
erected are after considerations. 1t
can be made TO cost anywhere from
$50, 10 $3.50, 900.
The depression in the price of real
estate, the source from which most of
the taxes come, stands against high
priced bridge, and yet the general sur.
1oundings and the romantic situation
demand that 1t shall be something
more than structure to meet present
exigincies. One thing, however, is
certain, 1t cannot be built this year, as
legislative action will be required. In
this Washington street has the advan-
tage, lie charter having been granted
some years ago. No inconvenience,
however, can arise from waiting
year; indeed it would be a reliet to the
people to have one years exemption
from high tax rates. The Levy Court
has the power to go ahead aud erect
the bridge the coming summer. but, in
Difference to such decided expression
Of the people in favor OF q change of
location from Washington 10 Bloomo
street, they will most probably hail
the opportunity of taking year rest
from large bridge building