Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-25
AN ANACoSTlA BRIDGE
Major Davis Plan and Estimate for One at
the Most Desirable Point.
But He Recommends That No Draw
Bridge Should Be Placed Between
the Navy Yard nnd the Sea.

Davis, corps of engineers, in regard to the
proposed bridge across the Anacostia river,
which has been printed in substance in
The Star, goes into the details of the char
acter and construction of the proposed
structure. The District appropriation bill
for the year ending June 50, 1896, provided
the. sum Of $500 to enable the Secretary
of War to make d survey. plan and esti-
mate cf the cost of the construction of a
substantial and suitable bridge, with neces-
sary approaches from the foot of South
Capitol street or below it at the most
available point. across the Eastern branch.
In accordance with this law Major Davis
made the necessary surveys. He states
in his report that three trial lines of sur
vey were regarded as meeting fully the
requirements of the act of Congress, COM
mencinS as follows:
At the foot of South Capitol street at
it's intersection with Il street south; at the
intersection of One-Half street west with
U street south. ami at the foot CT list
street west at its intersection With the
right bulkhead line.
The Most Advisable Plan.
After giving the results of this survey
the report states:
1.-THE distance between the bukhead lines
being the same on all three Of the routes,
and the general character Of the founda-
lions required being also alike, the cost
the same at each locality. The approach
es the South Capitol street line are
shorter than on either of the others. so
that this will be the least expensive route.
The One-Half street line stands next in
the order of cost, while the list street line,
with it's long south approach is the most
expensive. In view of the proximity of
the Navy Yard bridge it does not appear.
however. that bridge from the foot of
South Capitol street to Poplar Point would
afford any material advantages as smeans
of communication, or at least any which
would be at all commensurate with the out
lay required for its constructing or that any
general public interest would be thus SUBJ
served. The same view would seem to
hold in regard to the One-Eaif street line.
and Tor the same reasons. a bridge at
the foot of list street on the line proposed
would open a more direct means of COM
munication with a section of the District
now somewhat cut off by the lower part
of the Anacostia river, and afford con-
nectIon with the city for the future ex-
tension of South Capitol street, which viii
probably be an important line of travel in
the future. 1t will also suiIserve the in
terests of the United States in the matter
of more direct communication with the de-
lenses of Washington. This route would
therefore seem to be the most advisable
one, in the event of the construction of
the proposed bridge.
Estimate for One From First Street.
Maj. Davis, therefore, submits a plan and
estimate for a bridge at the foot of list
street He states that provision has been
made for two lines of track in the middle
of the roadway, to be used by street rail-
ways and teams of heavy loads; for two
lines for lighter vehicles. one on eitier side
of the railway tracks, requiring for the
four lireS of travel clear width of .oad-
way of thirty-two feet. AS such a width
the report states, will increase the cost
over that of a bridge providing only for
ordinary travel, it is recommended that
col net
be paid for by any street railways making
use of the bridge A flooring similar to
that on the Benning bridge. namely, one of
iron plate on which a sheet asphalt pave
ment with a concrete base was laid, is
commended. Maj. Davis favors draw OPEN
ing 15G feet WIDE owing to the fact
that the proposed bridge will be between
the navy yard and the sea, and the Navy
Department considers such an opening
necessary. In view of the length ard
weight of the draw, it is desirable that it
cable and for this reason it is proposed
that the lowest truss member shall be
twenty-four feet above low tide. as to
permit the passage of fairly large tugs,
scows and barges under any of The spans.
Owing to this requirement, together with
that for clear headroom over Water street.
the grade of the floor of the bridge is fixed
at thirty-one feet above low tids. Mai.
Davis estimates that the cost of the bricge
will be s779 100.
No Bridge Should BE Built.
In conclusion, he makes the following
recommendations: THE site of the bridge
estimated for has been selected on the
grounds stated, so. that in case Congress
should decide on having the bridge built, it
would subserve the best interests both of
the public and the United States, hut it is
my opinion that no such bridge should ever
be permitted to be built. There is no draw
bridge between any navy yard and the sea
in the United States, and none ought ever
to be allowed, particularly at the capital of
| the country. The Washington navy yard
and it's important proving grounds at In
dian Head should always have clear and
| unobstructed channel of communication be-
tween them. In fact, no drawbridge ought
ever to be permitted over rivers con:,ect-
ing important inland commercial cities with
the sea which can be reached by deep-sea