New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-06
SIDE VIEW NEW HUDSON RIVER BRIDGE.

may appear. at present. as the most important
part Of the traffic in sight. it would be very poor
policy to neglect consideration of the possible
changes which may occur in regard to the hano-
ling OF freight upon Manhattan Island at some
future time. Such a bridge should not be pu'i'
for the present only, nor should false economy
cause this bridge TO be designed and constructed
upon the idea Of restricting the speeds, SIZE
weight or frequency of the trains. The specfca-
lions are therefore. drawn TO rule out any plans
which may be presented cheap structures.
an selecting the kind of wire to be used. nave
been governed by the desire to obtain the largest
practicable wire of great strength that couId
readily be obtained from the larger existing wire
manufacturers without undue cost. You shouIu
be able - get an active competition Tor the con-
struction of the proposed bridge from parties not
only competent to design such structure. but
capable Of executing the contract for the same
GUARANTEES MUST BE MADE.
The treasurer Of the company. Mr.. Swan. said
I'VE shall advertise for proposals for suspension
bridge upon the specifications presented by Ensl-
neer Theodore Cooper. The company viii require
guaranteed bids. accompanied by suitable oohd
that the work will be finished at the price ana
within the time called for The Secretary OF " ar
In mis- decision as to whether we should oulld
cantilever or suspension bridge. said: The mai
MANS for a work Of such magnitude would only be
adopted after the most extended theoretical ana
experimental Investigations. and the estimated
cost would undoubtedly be much reduced by such
studies Assuming the most favorable location
and the mos, competent engineering management
the board believes that s23OOOOOO is a reasonable
estimate for sN-tracked railroad suspension
bridge 300 feet long and it considers the amount
Of traffic which such a bridge would accommo-
date sufficient to warrant the expense Of construc-
ton
considering the views Of the Secretary Of War,
the company have been put to ncavy expense 70
find whether practical bridge builders will under
take the construction Of suspension bridge at the
price named b. him namely, s2SOOOOOO) in the
time -four years) that it would take to construct
the cantilever bridge.
I'VE shall then find whether responsible bridge
builders will guarantee the construction Of the
bridge upon such specihcatons-a bridge war
ran,ed for heavy traffic al high speed for sum
within the estimate made by the Secretary OF
War Each bridge-builder must make his own
plan and present ii to the company, with MS
guaranteed bid; the plans must be submitted to
the Commissioners appointed by the STATE OF
New-York for their approval and the selected one
will be filed with tho Secretary OF WE.
SOME OF THE SPECIFICATIONS
Among other things in his report Engineer
Cooper says:
The great Importance and cost Of this proposed
bridge and the difficulty Of foreteiling the future
demands It's traffic CAPACITY require that !, II
should capable Of carrying any raffc brought 20
81 by the connecting lines. without any restrictions
as 10 speeds loads. frequency OF trains or other
limitations differing from those In force upon we'll
regulated railroads The bridge will be located at
such points between Fifty-nnth and Sixty ninth
SITS Ecw-York City, may he approved by The
Secretary OF War The bridge Will have a clear
s sPsh p Ea TIM lines ."e he elevation
that the bridge shall afford. under any conditions OF
lead or temperature, clear headway above hign
water of spring tides Of not less than o feet at the
centre Of the span The bridge will have six
standard railroad tracks upon one level
Secretary Swan was directed 10 send copies or
the report TO the Secretary Of war and the
State Commission. and copies OF the spccifica-
tons 10 the twelve or fourteen bridge-construc'
ton companies In the word who are competent
for so great an undertaking. and they Will be
asked to submit rough estimate Of the cost OF
the work.