New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-21
TO BUILD THE ANCHORAG ES
BIDS FOR WORK ON THE EAST RIVER
BRIDGE TO BE OPENED TOMORROW.

TWO BIG CONTRACTS TO BE FLACED-WoRk ON
THE cAIssoNs GOING AHEAD RAPIDLY.
Bids will be opened tomorrow by the Commission
ers OF the new East River bridge for the construc-
fion OF the anchoraSes on each side OF the river.
These are important pieces Of work-the most i'm
rortant probably, next 10 the building OF the
towers 1t is hoped by the bridge officials that there
will be an active competition for the work OF erect
ing the anchorages and in view Of the number OF
applications made on the part of contractors for
copies OF the specifications II is believed that this
will be the case.
The specifications are so elaborate that they nj
a good. sized pamphlet a glance at which is sufii-
cient to show the large amount OF work done by the
engineering staff In the preparation Of them. There
Is a separate set OF specifications for each OF the
anchorages. although in general they are the same
II Is possible for the same man or firm 10 secure
both contracts but II is not considered likely that
this will be the case. The engineers of the new
bridge have their own ideas TO what 1t will cost
to build the anchorages bu; they not willing TO
say anything at this time regarding their estimates.
In the mean time work is active the second
eaisson for the NewYork tower, and on the first
caisson for the Brooklyn tower. and It Is expected
that both OF them will be ready for launching by or
about the end OF this month IN the first Bridge
built between New-York and Brooklyn only one
caisson was used for each tower. but in the
bridge the upper part OF the towers is TO be OF
steel. and different method o: construction IS
employed
While the bridges will be unlike In several
respects there is remarkable likeness IN other
particulars. For example. there will be only foul
feet and a half difference In the distance between
the towers OF the two structures. the bridge
being a trihe the longer. While the method 0, con-
struction is practically the same in each the
bridge will differ from the Old one in that the land
spans will not be supported by the big cables. but
the cables will in nearly a straight line as
possible from the tops OF the towers 10 the n
chorages In the existing Bridge. as any one can
see by looking from the windows. the super
structure Is placed for some distance out from the
anchoraEes on top OF the cables. instead OF being
suspended from them.
The height OF the present Bridge above tho level
OF the river Is 135 feet in the middle. While the
new bridge has been permitted by the War Depart
ment be placed the same height, II Is required
10 be rs feet the water for distance OF 40
rise a little distance above that height On account
OF tho nsrrowness o. the river at the point where
the bridge Is be built, and the sw!ftness ~ the
currents II considered necessary 10 give
sells pa sslnz up and down more room for going un-
der the structure than in the OF the old Bridge
centre.
In addition to what r. being done on the two Gals
sons already mentioned. which Will before long be
out O! sight the rivers bed. work is steadily
going al Della ncey-st., Few-York, on the mason
work OF the northerly pier o. the great tower.
Nine or ten courses Of nugc blocks OF limestone
have been carefully laid. and some OF them are al
ready out OF sight under the water. AS the stone
courses built UP the caiSson sinks deeper and
deeper until finally Il will rest on the solid rock.