Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-26
THE FREr-BRIDGE GRADE.

IT seems 20 us that our Manchester
friends have not viewed the Free-brdge
question from the proper standpoint. If
we understand the situation, it is some
Thing IKE this The immense traffic of
the Chesapeake and Ohio road now passes
on the surface through the streets Of
Richmond, crossing. among others, Ninth
street. the most important thoroughfare
concerned-an Importance due to the
travel between Manchester and Rich
rnond. one Of the decided benefits ex-
pected from the improvements is the re-
lief that is to come to the travel between
Manchester and Richmond by the re-
moval of this railroad traffic from Ninth
street.
The delays in crossing the tracks at
Ninth street have given great annoyance
TO the public. The possibility of making
quick time between the two cities has
been destroyed. All, except, perhaps,
those drivers who have become accus-
toned to the danger. are fully alive to
the risks they incur and many people
become nervous at the prospect of driv-
ing along Ninth street and meeting
trains that impede their passage. 1t is.
unquestionably. a real source Of danger,
as wen as of great embarrassment to
the travel of the two cities in point
OF time.
Under the new conditions, long freight
trains. with all of the through traffic,
would be taken off the street; and hence
would no longer be a source OF danger
or of loss Of time. The railway bridge
will pass overhead. as. railways pass over
streets in a great many Of the most
progressive cities OF the country; cities
and towns of all sizes, as well as coun-
try roads.
The clearance allowed overhead IS that
usually prescribed in the most advanced
cities and districts of the country, and
IS even greater than some Of them al
low. With blinds on each side Of the
viaduct. so that the trains could only
be seen at a distance. the danger of
frightening teams is almost wholly re-
moved. This danger is a remote one,
anyway. as any team that now runs the
gauntlet Of the Ninth-street tracks is
In little danger of fright from the pas
cage Of locomotives and cars. even should
there be no blinds upon the viaduct.
The bridge would be protected with
heavy fence-railings on steel frames on
each side-very different from the inse-
cure fences that now guard the sides of
The bridge. Seven new spans or over
one third Of the bridge, would be pro-
:ected in this manner.
The present bridge has been declared
Insecure by engineers Of standing, and
must. necessarily, be renewed within a
short time. II the necessity does not come
upon the cities earlier. as the result of
"a catastrophe. Owing 10 the bridges
insecurity. teams are not allowed TO go
over il faster than In a walk, and to
cross the bridge involves a long, tedious
journey.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company offers TO renew these seven
spans with new, modern, steel struc-
lures, with granite floor, and protected,
as stated above, by a heavy railing on
each side. made i'm all respects as secure
and perfect as highways are ever made.
II would be a vast change from the pres
ent conditions.
The grades proposed 70 be put upon
the bridge are practically unobjection-
able. In order 10 be noticed, attention
would have TO be called 10 them. A
driver could trot his team along. he
would on level. II would not be neces-
sary TO make the accustomes load a
pound lighter. The proposed grades
would not prevent the trotting Of teams
or interfere with the time OF passage
over the bridge; but, as said, for all
practical purposes 1t would be as II
there were no grades. There would be
clear, free, un6bstructed passage from
Manchester to Richmond, In so far as 80
traffic OF the railroad is concerncd-a
traffic which. troublesome as it now is
TO the street travel. will be doubly in
creased in the near future.
Every condition would be bettered. De
lays would be ended; dangers removed.
The cities would get seven spans Of new
bridge, besides renewal Of the trcstle
vt the north end'-a clear gain OF about
ts,oCo. The two communities would fslxo