The evening world., 1894-08-31
BRIDGE PLAN REPORT.
Commission Says a Oantilever and
River Pier Is Practicable.
But Thinks a Suspension Structure
More Desirable.
Plan Submitted for q 3,1OO-Foot
Span to Cost $50, 743,OoO.

1
| WASHINGTON. Aug. 81 The Wal
Department to-day furnished a synopsis
OF the report OF the commission ap.
pointed to investigate and recommend
what length of span. not less that 2,oOt
feet, would be safe and practicable for
II railroad bridge over the Hudson River
between New York and Jersey City. IL
is as follows:
| The Commission finds that q 3.o0o-foo'
span cantilever bridge. with pier In
the centre OF the river. would be safe
and practicable. and that its cost, In
GLIDING viaduct, would be $40. 723 900, the
cost OF the centre pier being estimated
at ss.no.OOo.
The depth to rock foundation within
the limits of the bridge location is 26O
feet. nearly 100 feet deeper than any ex-
isting foundation.
A 3,100-foot clear span cantilever from
shore to shore 10 found to be possible
but impracticable on account OF it's ex-
pense. s5l.12s,000.
The Board reports that investigation
satisfies II that q six-track, 3-10o-foot.
single span suspension bridge would be
safe and practicable. and would, II GER
s o. g., constructions s,T were adopted cost
a
six maximum freight trains moving side
by side at full speed.
A plan Is worked out and submitted
for a lighter structure suspension bridge,
every possible demand with absolute
safety, at a cost Of $40 1tS 900.
The Board says II feels that the con.
contingency attending the construction Of
,ever bridge is enough to balance a part
or the greater cost OF the suspension
The report is ignored by all the men,
bers of the Commission, Major c. w.
Raymond, Of the United states En-
yineer Coras; G. Bousecaren, C.E.; Prof
Theodore Cooper. c. E., and George 8.
Morrison, c. z.
Charles II, Swan, Secretary Of the New
who returned from washington last
night when shown the report OF the
Board Of Engineers on the span lengths
rhs report !. Hery to the
New York Company It eliminates on
the score OF two great expenses, over
s5l .0oo 900. the suspension plan Of the
What my Company desires to build is
bridge that is rigid structure owed
which six trains can pass at time At q
to be constructed at cost within limit
where capital can get fair interest. 20
There Is just 20 much money to be
earned by the bridge. and one built with
In a certain cost can pay such interest.
II the bridge costs more we must either
reduce our expected rate OF interest OF 8
per cent, and then We can't get capital
interested, or else raise our bridge traffic
charges.
1.-THE latter We cannot do. for psssen-
gers would not submit to an extrava-
CANT toll. Therefore. IL we build the
bridge II must be within our capital
limit, and We can only do 20 with a
cantilever plan, as referred to in the
above report"
II trust Secretary Lamont before de-
Gliding will allow US, as We requested, to
lay before him further details of our
our plan, we shall at once proceed to
organize a syndicate to raise the con-
struction capital.
I'm all probability our construction
contractors could commence actual work
this Fall, but I doubt 10 ground viii be
broken before next Spring"