The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-15
FOR A NEW BRIDGE.
Provisions Made For One in To-
peka in Bill
10 BE INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE.

It Provides for One ON Kansas Ave-
nue. as Well as One at silver Lake,
ROssville and Oakland.
The members of the legislature from
Shawnee county have all agreed on
bridge bill, which is to be introduced in
the senate as a substitute for the bill in
troduced in the house by Mr. Sherman.
Mr.. Sherman's bill passed the house
and it Is known as house bill No. 154
The substitute for Mr.. Sherman's bill
was drawn by a Shawnee county man
who has carefully watched all the bridge
propositions which have been submitted
in the county and his bill has been given
the approval of the entire Shawnee del
egatiOn, Representatives Veale. Garden
hire, Sherman and Senator Sterne.
Mr.. Sherman's bill provided that bonds
should be voted and issued for bridge
across the Kansas river on Kansas
avenue not in excess of $150,00O
The substitute for Mr.. Sherman's bill
provides for several bridges and the re-
construction of old ones
In the first place, the bill provides that
at any time within two years after the
act goes into effect the county commits
sioners may call bond election to vote
| bridge bonds not in excess of $175, Q00
The bonds are to bear 5 per cent interest
and are not to be sold at less than par.
| The sum of $4,000 is to be set aside
for the construction of an inter county
bridge west of Rossville, at any time
within four years that Wabaunsee county
or Maple Hill township, Wabaunsee coun-
! tv, may set aside an equal amount for
the construction of such bridge
If within four years such bridge is
not constructed then the money may be
used for the construction of a bridge
across the river east of Rossville, at such
place where the people of Rossvllle,
Dover and Silver Lake townships will be
best satisfied. This bridge is to be an
intercourt metal structure, with 16-foot
roadway.
The bill then provides that 900
shall be set aside for the erection of a
pier bridge of modern pattern across the
river connecting Topeka and silver Lake
townships at a point opposite the coal
mines and vitrified brick works west of
the city.
The principal bridge, the one every
body wants most, is TO be on Kansas
avenue, in the city of Topeka, and $780,
QUO is the sum named for its construc-
ton. The bill says that this bridge shall
be a modern clear-deck brid ge, of pier
type and no truss work above the road
way.
The bridge is to be wide enough for
two strings of teams to PASS, or for four
teams to be driven abreast going in one
| direction, which would be more than
double the width Of the present struc-
ture The roadway is to be twenty six feet
wide with sidewalks seven feet wide on
each side. The bridge is to conform as
nearly as possible to the present grade
of Kansas avenue and is to be so con-
structed that teams may trot across it,
just as they do on any other part of Kan
sas avenue.
The bill further provides that $4,000
shall be set aside for the reconstruction,
taking down and removal of the old
bridge now located on Kansas avenue.
This bridge is to be rebuilt at a point
: connecting North Topeka and Oakland
where Gordon street in North Topeka
, and Sardou avenue in Oakland would
, connect.
The bill is so worded that the county
commissioners may at any time within
two years, when they think the people
are not feeling too poor to build bridges,
: call this election. But after an election
, is held and bonds voted, they must al
once commence the construction of the
bridges Any unexpended portion OF
the bridge fund is to go into the general
: revenue fund of the county.
? At the last bridge election the bonds
were defeated by the people residing
outside the city, four hundred votes alone
being cast against the bonds in Tecumseh
township, bat the people of that part OF
the county are said to be willing to vote
t bonds for a Kansas avenue bridge, il
they can have a bridge to shorten theiI
' route to mill in North Topeka.
The members of the Shawnee county
delegation in the legislature think thi.
bill will surely meet with the approva
of the naonle