New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-26
4 STRONG CONCRETE BRIDGE.
GREAT PAINS TAKEN WITH THE FOCNDA-
TON FOR THE NEW PAVEMENT
IN FIFTU-ANE

In putting down the new pavement in tltth-ave.
special pains have been taken with the concrete
foundation The reason tor :his Is that the work
Of completing the street is following closely on the
heels OF the ayations that have been made for
water mains and sewers and little time is allowed
for the settlement OF the removed and replaced SOIL
As much possible is in the way OF hldhlhs l.
solid il done by rollins the earth with big roner
weighing ten tons The concrete base Tor the
asphalt Is nine inches thick, the expectation being
that in the soil gives way underneath the
will form a bridge sufficiently strong from
curb 10 curb to support any ordinary weight that
may be carried the surface.
A foundation of this thickness T. an unusual
thing: the only other in which concrete nine
inches thick has been put down in this city is under
the granite pavement in South Ffth-ave. IL Is De-
eyed by the engineers in charge that such bridge
Will sustain the weight Of any load that may De
drawn over it. II the earth sinks away below H.
unless there should happen to be load Ike that
of some of the enormous cable spoos weighing
more than eighty tons. beneath which even we'll
a!i granite blocks Welded perceptibly.
Where an excavation twelve feet in depth Is
made as has been necessary in Fifth-aye. 1t IL an
unusual thing. and in general an undesirable thlls'
10 allow the pavement 20 be put down so soon AS
is berg done in this case. II Is felt. however tha'
the people living and doing business In Fifth-aVe.
have been nut TO 40 much inconvenience and the
work has dragged long that 1t Is only right
TO complete Il as rapidly can be done with rea-
sonable safety n possible, several months should
be allowed for the settling OF the disturbed earth
As that is out OF the question, 1t Is rolled az com
pactly practicable and then great pIl"f 80 a.,
taken with the concrete. AT least week oeihs
given set firmly
Aq soon as the concrete is ready the asphalt
surface can be applied at IN" rate or a block gay
The trouble In f!fth-aye. mas not been AZ ~ on
the surface. but below 49, as all familiar with Us
condition for many months arc well aware. Inc
nov pavement however, h. expected TO Last AZ ieast
fifteen wears and during tlat time no genera hls-
turbauce OF the avenue should be necessary.
Not lone ago a plumber who had mades an th-
c1vaflon In he avenue for the purpose OF repair
ing a water pipe was found TO have thrown PACK
the removed earth without taking the tr0uDle 70
"tamp" T. as required by law. II ms negtece H a
not been discovered ny vigilant city einploye M
chances are that what the engineers term slnk-
ago" would have occurred NJ that SPOT IN yt,I OF
two when 81 course there would be an cutlery about
the poor pavement I'm F'iftn-ave. The phnn"r was
cornneled 70 open his eXoaTatlon down TO the pipe
and replace the Garth proper, under the eye OF an
lnspcctor whose wages at tae rate or ~ Jay tue
plumber required 10 pay. II would seem ,ha Al
In such r. case the license Of the plumber ought 10
be revoked 30 n 70 nut an end his opportunities
for doing mischief. but what ought 20 frequently
= not In municipal affairs and the fact must De
recorded that the offender had sufficient influence
20 maintain his good ana regular staining !" inc
plumbing fraternity.