Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-11
PROJECTS PENDING.
The Much-Desired Free Bridge Across
to the Southside
MAY BE CONSTRUCTED NEXT YEAR.
Another Hundred Thousand Will Probably
Be Sufficient.
GOOD PROSPECTS FOR TIE NEW ARMORY

In all probability the proposed free bridge
across the Monongahela river will be we'll
under way at this time next year. Possibly
it will be completed. In the appropriation
of last spring S150,000 was set aside for
bridges. Of this $4,000 was used for the
Larimer and Forward avenue bridges, leav-
ing 100000 for the MonoRgahela bridge.
This amount, it was understood, was to be
set aside and additional appropriations made
to it each year until enough money was Sc
cured to build tine bridge. From present
estimates it looks as though next years ap-
preparation will be sufficient. Controller
Morrow said yesterday:
"The money set aside for the bridge to
the Southside is treated as a reserve fund
and will not be allowed to revert to the
sinking fund as other amounts are when not
used up at the end of the fiscal year. 1t
will be held for the purpose intended until
the fund is large enough to accomplish the
desired end. If bridge can be built for
$200,00 it can be started early next spring,
as Councils will doubtless set aside another
500, 900 for that purpose in the next appro-
priation ordinance"
Bridges Much cheaper.
"a bridge can be built for $780, 900 or
5000, 600" said A. F. Heating, ''unless the
city desires to 60 into the matter very deeply
and erect something beyond the ordinary.
Bridges are much cheaper now than they
used to be-"
On October 12 Mr.. Benz introduced in Sc
lect Council the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Councils appropriated $lOO, 600 for
the purpose of building or buying bridge
across the Monongahela river: and
Whereas, 1t appears that no active steps
have been taken to ascertain what measures
are necessary to bring about this much
needed free communication between the
Old City and Southside; therefore, be it
Resolved, That committee OF five, two
from Select and three from Common Coun-
ellis, in conjunction with the Chief of the
Department of Public Works, be appointed
for the purpose of ascertaining all neces-
sary information about buying OF locating
and building free bridge across aforesaid
river, and all other preliminaries to carry
on the aforesaid project and report the
same to Councils within 60 days from date
thereof.
It passed both branches and the following
Councilmen were appointed on the commit
tee: Messrs. Benz, Robertson, Finn, Fox
and Taggert. So far as could be learned
yesterday this committee has not held q
meeting yet. Thirty days remain before it's
report will be due.
A Contest in Sight.
As to the location of the bridge no action
has been taken and few suggestions have
yet been made. Chief Bigelow said yester-
day it would depend largely on what the
people of the Southside want. The bridge
will be chiefly for their benefit and they
will have most to say about where it shall
be- The vicinity of Soho on even farther
up the river has been spoken of owing to
the fact that it would provide short route
from the Southside to- Schenley Park and
the Carnegie Library. Property owners in
various parts of the Southside are anxious
to have the bridge near them and lively
contest is expected before the site will be
decided.
Another prospective improvement in the
city is new armory building where the
old Fifth Avenue Market House now
stands. A well-known military man said
yesterday the project had not been dropped
by any means. Several causes, which he
did not care to speak about, have delayed
matters thus far, but the prospect for start
in the work before many months is
promising.