Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-09
THE @. a O. vIADUCT.

THE @. & O. vIADUCT.
A correspondent, whose opinions we
value very highly. writes us a letter,
which we publish this morning. suggest
ing that, to make way for the Chesa-
peake and Ohio viaduct, the Free bridge
be raised gradually at the Richmond
end and extended to Byrd street. This
he believes, would give room for the Via
duct to pass UNDER the bridge, and
would meet all the objections hitherto
urged against the pending plan.
II his suggestion were adopted, very
much larger expense would be incurred
than is involved I'm the Chesapeake and
Ohio's Company's plant means a new
bridge. almost--but we have no doubt
that the company would contribute 10
the cost the sum OF money that is In
volved In the changes proposed by It's
plan. The large extra amount would
have TO be contributed by Richmond and
Manchester, and we doubt II either city
would be willing TO make this outlay
now. This extra amount would be very
considerable. Nor do we think that the
street-Car Company would willingly be
taxed any part Of the cost.
our correspondent makes the SUCCESS
ton that 1.-The present grade be allowed
to stand, and the bridge be made TO be-
gin at Byrd street, and sufficient Of
the bridge at the Richmond end be raised
TO give a gentle grade to that street
That portion of the bridge which would
extend from Byrd street TO the river
bank could be open-work, like the ele-
waited roads of New York and other
places. so that the street traffic could
continue. as now" ANY such bridge.
of course. should be built of iron or
steel; and, If built, to carry granite
floor, and of the same strength as that
the company proposes to build the new
spans. would be costly work. We pre-
sumo that his expression. "the present
grade" means the grade Of the present
Free bridge. There could be no gentle
grade from the proposed crossing to
Byrd street. as that part OF the new
bridge would have to be level, and this
additional structure would, therefore, be
costly work.
As to the street-cars, which are next
referred TO, there is nothing TO prevent
their going up Ninth street now. instead
of running through the narrow Arch
street, and up Seventh, under the Rich
mond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
trestle, If the city and the Street-Car
Company should desire 1t. The grade Is
no worse and the turn into Canal street
would be the same.
AS TO there being already a considerable
grade from the bridge to Byrd street,
which our correspondent does not think
It would be well to increase, probably
ne is not aware that Cby the Chesapeake
and Ohio PLAN the rate of grade is not
increased. There is. it is true, a pro-
longation, not at the same rate, but
on a grade very much lighter, which does
not. therefore, govern the load that
team will draw. 1t is so light that it will
not prevent carriage horses and teams
with light loads from trotting up it. The
existing grade on Ninth street is so
NeaNy ana 50 IOiS lHdl IL DtCOlicS d
dead pull, anyway. and the entire OBJ
lection to the grade, as 1t will be after
the structure is built. will be upon the
existing grade, and not upon the grade
upon the bridge, so far as its effect upon
the travel is concerned. either in govern
ing the size of the load or affecting the
speed at which a person may drive in an
ordinary conveyance.
From our information as to grades,
ETC., we believe the scheme of our cor
respondent is impracticable. by reason
of it's cost and possibly, also, by reason
Of delays which it would cause in the
proposed improvements Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway Company.
The plan proposed is the only feasible
one, unless the Taxpayers of Richmond
and Manchester wish to run their hands
deep down into their pockets.