Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-11
Progress Of the Work Being Done
on the Potomac.
DELAY CAUSED BY 4 CONTRACTOR
Survey of the Line of the Proposed
Memorial Bridge Commenced.
OTHER FACTS OF INTEREST

Col. Charles J. Allen, the engineer officer
in charge of the Potomac river improve
nients, reports that no work has been done
under the contract of A. NJ Ciegg of Wash
ington, d. c., for dredging in the Virginia
channel, notwithstanding the contract re-
qaired the work to begin July last. The
attention of the contractor has been called
by Colonel Allen to his failure to COM
mence work as required by his contract and
to the consequent loss and delay which, in
the present condition of the channel, must
result to vessels navigating the river. Tn
der date of July 2S, Contractor Clegg wrote
that h. expected to have the dredge here
about August -. Colonel Allen says he
will make the matter the subject of spe-
cial report t, the War Department.
Sea Wall Practically Finished.
According to the report, the sea wall on
the margin of the reclaimed area has been
practically completed, except near the site
Of the inlet gates and along the bathing
beach in the tidal reservoir. The total
length of sea wall built to date is 35,..S9
linear feet, of which 1850 linear feet on
the Washington channel front of section
Ill have been relaid. The filling in behind
the wall was resumed July Is with a force
of twelve men. The gravel backing has
been put il: for a distance of 600 feet and
II
distance. During the month a dangerous
snag was removed from the channel near
GieSboro Point and deposited on the shore.
1t was an old tree. 80 feet long and Is
inches in diameter
Necessary Work Described
Colonel Allen says that the following
work is necessary to complete the approved
project: The dredging of the Virginia chan
mel and the raising of the remainder of the
ad tn h., t,a;< .1,o
dredging of the tidal reservoir, the COM
pletion of the sea wall in the reservoir and
along the Washington channel the con-
struction of the reservoir inlet gates and
the completion of the training dixie on the
right of the Virginia channel above the
Long bridge. The total amount expended
on the present project to the end of the
last fiscal year was s.. 162 1854. and the
balance of appropriations available at the
end of July, 1897, clear of all liabilities was
$50, 12ss2.
The Proposed Memorial Bridge.
Colonel Allen says he has collected the
preliminary information needed for running
the lines of survey for the proposed memo
rial bridge from the most convenient point
of the naval observatory grounds, or ada
cent thereto, across the Potomac river to
some convenient point on the Arlington
estate property" Monuments and stakes
marking boundary and street lines have
been located, and the field instrumental
work OF the survey was commenced last
month and will probably he completed dur
ing the present month. Levels have been
run for the establishment of beach marks
and transit points have been set The
boringS are now in progress. Congress ap-
propriated $500 for this survey, and to
secure designs and estimates for this
bridge.
Progress is also reported by Col. Allen in
the work of surveying for bridge across
ha En- hron ch nf fIa tn ;v.,
with Massachusetts avenue extended east
ward The map of the survey has been
plotted and completed. Profiles of the line
have been made and specifications for the
behring's required to determine the strata
at the proposed sites of piles have been
prepared. Test borings will be made this
month.
The Aqueduct Pier.
The repairs to the cofferdam incident
to the reconstruction of pier of the Aque-
duct bridge are now in progress. Strips
and canvas have been placed over open
seams and sand bags and pudding placed
around the dam The pumping plant was
put in operation, and two attempts were
made last month to pump out the dam.
On reaching head of IL or II feet, how
ever, the steaming capacity of the two
boilers was found insufficient to run the
three pumps in use, and the contractors
discontinued pumping until another boil ar
could be sci up. The repairs to the false
work have been commenced and two of the
four 12X12-inch chords required for the
triangular trusses have been framed and
put in position. Two fences have been built
along the sidewalks CT the bridge between
piers and j, in order to regulate travel.
The quarrying and dressing of stone have
continued. Col. Allen says that the con-
tractors have not thus far made the de-
sired progress on the work.