The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-08
BIG BRIDGE COMPLETED
HARLEM RIVER NOW SPAWNED BY A
MARVELLOUS STRUCTURE.
The New York Central's Four-TracI<
Steel Drawbridge Ready for Traffic
Cost Over Three Millions.

NEW YORK, Feb. THE largest bridge
of its kind in the world. and one of the
most marvellous achievements of modern
engineering, is now approaching completion
in this city. 1t is the New York Centrals
four-track steel drawbridge over the Har-
lem river at ndred-and-thirty-fift
street. The passenger entering New York
from the north tomorrow will be the
first to pass over this greatest of steel rail-
way constructions. Going south at One
hundred -and-forty-ni street, the tracks
of the New York Central begin to rise
gradually, and at One-hundred-and-thi thirty
fifth street they cross the Harlem river at
elevation of twenty-four feet above high
tide.
The massive structure is remarkable in
being the first four-track drawbridge ever
built. 1t is 400 feet long and weighs $500
tons. 1t is 5S feet inches wide from center
TO center OF outside trusses, and is carried
on three heavy trusses. Between the CEN
trail and each of the two side trusses is
clear space OF twenty-siX feet, which per-
mitS the passage OF two sets of double
tracks. The floor is corrugated and the
rails are boited to it on steel tie plates. The
trusses OF the drawbridge span are sixty
four feet high In the center, and twenty-five
feet high at each end. AT the highest part
of these trusseS is the engine house, which
contains two oscillating double-cylinder en-
gines. These engines turn the draw, and
can be worked together or separately, SO
that If one should break the other can do
the work From One-hundred-and-thirt
eighth street south the four new tracks run
over the steel viaduct to One-hundred-and
tenth street, and thence by stone Viaduct
to One e-hundred-and-siXth street, where
they strike the level of the present four
track line
The work of building this massive struc-
ture began Sept. 1, 1893, and has continued
without cessation until now. 1t will cost
when completed more than S30OO,00O. 1t will
permit the opening of all cross streets un-
der the railway and thus admit free pas
sage for surface traffic. At One-hundred-
and-twenty-fifth street the tracks will
cross the street fourteen feet above its
level, and at this point magnificent pas
senger station is to be built. extending from
ne-hundred-and-twenty to One-hun-
dred-and-twenty-sixth street, under the
viaduct.
The completion of the great structure is
looked on as being of immense value to the
entire State-in fact TO the whole country
as the bridge being so high above the water
will never have to be opened, except when
large steamers or vessels with maSts pass
through. All tugs. canal boats and barges
will have ample room to go under II while
it is closed The secretary of war has is
sued orders that all tugs and barges shall
joint their smoke stacks and f1agpoles to
enable them TO pass under the bridge while
closed. He has also ordered that the bridge
shall not be opened between the hours of
and 10 o'clock in the morning and and
in the afternoon. except for police, fire
government vessels, the hours named
covering the great business traffic in and
trains. as well as the principal suburban
trains, arrive and depart during these
hours. This will avoid delay and thus per-
NIT of n much faster service.
Grants tomb can be seen by the trains
as they pass over the new viaduct. and
and and Columbia coilege cl on on Morningside
Heighths. In fact. the greater part of the
improvements which have recently been
made in the northern part OF the city can
be seen from the trains as they pass over
or near the viaduct.