The record-union., 1896-10-07
COMPLICATED BRIDGE BIDS.
The Plans Puzzle Even an Experienced
Engineer.
Mr. Stoddard's Report on the Mormon
Island Structure-Other
Matters.

Inc Board of Supervisors met yester-
0dy Ior Its regular monthly session.
mere We're present J. M. Morrison
SShalrman), j. w. Todd, John Dreman,
Wllilam Curtis and Thomas Jenkins
full board.
The first business taken up was the
report of G. A. Stoddard, the expert
employed to examine and pass on the
Dlds for the construction of steel
bridge over the American River at Nor
mon Island, which is as follows:
To the Honorable Board of Supervis-
OrS of Sacramento County-Gentlemen
In compliance with your request l have
looked through the various plans, spe-
cl1catiOnS and bids for a bridge over
the south fork of the American River,
IN place of the Mormon Island bridge.
AT your suggestion 1 have confined
my attention mostly to a steel struc-
ture, that being the only kind likely to
receive favorable consideration. OF this
kind L find nine separate plans and bids,
varying quite considerably in general
design as well as price. This may, per-
hapS, be accounted for from the fact
that, in the call for bids, no particular
carrying capacity was specified. Con-
sequently we find both light and heavy
construction, with necessarily varying
cost
Owing to the variety of style and
construction, it is more than usually diff
ficult to justly determine what is really
for the best interests of the counties
concerned Sacramento and Ell Dorado),
Which is the only point I am looking
after, being entirely unprejudiced for
or against any plan or bidder.
It is not my purpose to especially
criticise any of the plans further than
to say 1 find some lack of specific detail
necessary to form the most complete
judgment, and some evident errors in
figures, which, however, is not unusual,
the plans and specifications being as
whole, perhaps, equal to the average.
[ find in all the plans submitted
points to commend them, and perhaps
none are exempt from some things we
might consider would better otherwise.
After careful investigation and COM
pariSon of all the styles, proportion of
parts and general features of cOnstruc-
tion, as we'll as prices of each. in my
Judgment the best bid for the two coun-
ties interested is the one presented by
J. A. Mcmahon for Sc, 495, and would
recommend the same to your honorable
Boards Of Supervisors for considera-
ton While not the lowest bid, it may
be the cheapest. We think the length Of
205 feet is one point in it's favor, on ac
count of the better seat on the abut-
ments.
A lighter bridge might possibly an
swer temporary purpose, but | hard
ly think 1t would prove satisfactory in
the end to Supervisors and citizens, and
my Judgment would not recommend it
for the place and service it is likely to
have.
For a light capacity bridge I am ia
vorably inclined to the one presented
by Healy. Tibbets & Co. for So,32I.
Judging from general arrangement and
proportion of parts, as shown on the
plans and specifications, it should make
a good structure for the price, if hon
estly built.
Of the responsibility or integrity of
any bidder 1 am supposed to know
nothing, but to Judge by what appears
in the plans and specifications. Re
spectfully submitted
G.. A. STODDARD,
Mechanical Engineer.
The report was referred to the Con-
tract Committee with instructions to
confer with the Supervisors of Ell Do
RADIO County, which county is to pay
one-half the expense of the bridge.
AS to the bridge over the Costumes
River at McConnelTs Station, Chairman
Morrison stated that Expert Stoddard
had not as yet been able to report there
on. but would endeavor to do so during
the present session of the board.
COUNTY EXHIBIT.
A communication was received from
the Chamber of Commerce Committee
stating that the expense Of making the
exhibit at the recent State Fair was
S161 80. Placed on file.
COUNTRY BRIDGES.
Supervisor Jenkins stated that sew
eral accidents had occurred on the old
bridge over the Costumes River at
McConnell's, and he had sent out lum-
ber to have the floor repaired.
The bridge near old Elk Grove also
NEEDED some slight repairs, and he had
ordered them made.
The covering or floor of the bridge
over the canal at Arno also required re-
pairing, and he had directed the neces-
sary repairs to be made.
Supervisor Todd stated that Thomas
Mcconnell had offered to let the county
have the necessary land south OF the
Cosumnes River required to stralghten
the road at what it cost him, $40 per
acre.
Mr.. Jenkins thought it an excellent
nroposition. as the road there is
crooked There will also be required
some 200 feet of trestle south of the
trestle constructed there by Il. T.. Bar
rv. but he would have Mr.. Mcconnell
come in and explain TO the board the
necessity therefor.
Mr. Jenkins called attention to the
condition OF the bridge over what is
known as the Lagoon, on the main
road north Of Calf. The earth ap-
proaches are washed away every Win
ter and have to be renewed yearly. A
4restle of a couple of hundred feet
would make the bridge permanent, and
the people out there have long been ask
ing for IL.
p r. Dray, who was present, con-
Nrmed the statement Of Mr.. Jenkins. He
eaid hewas interested in property In that
vicinity, could testify TO the fact that
+be bridge. though on an old and much
1,ead road. is impossible every winter.
THE peopIe had not been urging Its i'm
movement, because they were aware
the county had been short OF money
I'm the road funds. nevertheless the