The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-17
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE DE-
VOTES AN AFTERNOON FIGURING
OUT WHAT 1T WILL TAKE.
NO DEFINITE CONCLUSION YET
MOTION TO PLACE 100000 IN THE
ESTIMATE DEFEATED By A
CLOSE VOTE.
REPORT OF ENGINEER RUNDLETr.
In the City and What Each
Needs.
For two and a half hours yesterday

For two and a half hours yesterday
afternoon the conference committee
discussed the question of how much
money should be placed in the tax es-
innate for next year for bridge repairs.
At the adjournment q motion had just
been defeated by which $780, 900 was
to be placed in the estimate, of which
sum s63,5o0 was to be set apart as a
fund for the rebuilding of the south
end Of the Wabasha street bridge and
the balance used to repair other
bridges. The comptroller favored this
plan, but his proposition was knocked
over by vote of to 4, those voting
against it being Messrs. Bement, San
born, Copeland, Horst and Wheelock.
The comptroller favored an adjourn
ment until today, when all the mem
bers Of the conference committee could
be present. The motion to adjourn was
carried. and the question will be fought
over again today.
The consideration Of the nineteenth
item Of the estimate, allowing $4,000
for the bridge repair fund, was the
special order, and, when the commit
tee was called to order City Engineer
Rundlett presented the following re-
port as to the condition and needed
repairs on the several bridges:
Edgerton Street Bridge-This bridge was
erected in 1887 by the railroad and city. the
railroad raj company paying for that portion of
the bridge over their right Of way and the
city paying for that portion over FauQuier
street. The bridge is the full width Of the
street and frst-class structure, and was
built under general agreement with the
hat h,,iId = ho
bridge and abutments in accordance with the
requirements of the city, and the city should
afterwards maintain 1t. We have already
painted this bridge once at the expense Of
the. city. and l have an order from the COM
mon council at the present time to rehoor 1t.
In this connection 1 submit a copy of the
agreement with the railroad under which
this work was done.
Fort Smelling Bridge-This bridge has not
been painted since 1885, and 1t needs it bad
ly. This painting, however, is not so i'm
portant an item as the flooring Of other
bridges, and could be cut out If we cannot
raise the money.
High Bridge-This was erected in 1889 and
the floor needs renewal. The bridge also needs
painting, but as this bridge has less traffic
than most Of the other bridges under con-
sderation, and consequently the danger Of
an accident is much less, 1t could go over
until another year better than most of the
other bridges.
Lafayette Avenue Bridge Painting-This
bridge was erected in 1889, and needs paint
eral agreement. Lafayette avenue existed on
the old lines, as 1 understand It, before the
railroads acquired any right Of way. but 1t
being one of the most dangerous crossings
in the city, the line OF the street was changed
and bridge was built by the railroad com
pany under the general agreement that they
would erect the bridge and the city maintain
1t. The city has not as yet done any work
on this bridge and have ordered the rail-
road company to make the necessary repairs.
Third Street Bridge-This bridge was erect
raj int and
the city. There was special contract with
relation to this bridge with the Great North
ern railroad copy of which is herewith
of the bridge has painted it twice. The floor
system is now giving out and needs renewal,
and it must be done next year.
University Avenue Bridge-This bridge was
erected by the various interests in connec-
ton with the Transfer and by the city. There
was an agreement that the city should main
tain the bridge in accordance with council
proceedings Of 1885, which are herewith sub
mitted. The bridge itself is a frst-class
structure and only requires renewal Of the
floor system and painting.
Wabasha Street Bridge-In 1889 a portion
of this bridge was rebuilt from the north
end to the island, and it expected at
that time that an appropriation would be
made the next year to rebuild the remaining
part. but ON account of the hard times it
has been put off from year to year. The
roadway on the narrow portion is eighteen
feet wide, and on this there are two tracks
The travel at certain times this portion Of
the bridge is congested, and, that portion OF
the bridge being on a 5 per cent grade on
several occasions street cars have gotten
away and accidents have resulted. During
the winter season. on account Of the necessity
OF keeping the snow Off the street car tracks
there is a constant complaint on account of
the difficulty of traffic. The bridge should
be widened to correspond with the northern
portion Of the bridge at the earliest time
possible. The old piers IN bad condition,
and required repairs last year to make the
bridge safe and it probably will not be
safe for more than two or three years. If
a new bridge Is not built, 1t will require
$500 to put the bridge in proper repair
which does not include painting.
The north 600 feet, which was reconstructed
in 1889, needs new floor. The cedar blocks
almost entirely worn out and the floor
planks are in bad condition. This bridge
has a heavy traffic, and these repairs should
be made next year.
Westminster Street Bridge-This bridge was
erected in 1881. 1t has been painted since,
and has been repaired and a pavement put
on at the expense of the city. This is one
Of the first bridges erected under the general
agreement with the railroad companies. The
floor has broken through several times this
fall. The floor system should be renewed
without delay. The railroad companies I'M
derstand have been ordered to make the
necessary repairs.
Western Avenue Bridge-This bridge was
built in 1888, and is in very bad condition.
1t will have to be renewed or closed before
another season.
Raymond Avenue Brdge-There has been
appropriated already s275o0 for this bridge.
1t was expected that the railroads would pay
the balance and suit has been brought to
tried but no decision has been rendered. In
my opinion, 1t will require S10,500 additional
to build the bridge In accordance with the
plans and specifications which have been ap-
proved by the common council.
OF the bridges the repairs to which are
most necessary would name University
avenue, Westminster street, Third street,
Wabasha street and Edgerton. This bridge.
however might be closed and the traffic
turned onto Payne avenue and Burr street.
Aid. Bell suggested that the placing
Of $4,000 in the budget for 1898 and the
provement to be made. It was an out
rage that the bridge was not properly
widened and repaired.
Mr.. Bement favored the placing Of
enough in the budget for 1898 to build
the substructure and then in the 1899
budget the balance could be appropri-
ated.
Mr.. Bell was of the opinion that a
sufficient amount could be put In the
estimate to pay for the work to be
done in 1898. The comptroller said this
could not be done, as, when a con-
tract was let, provision must be made
to raise the funds and have them on
hand before the contract was let. Mr..
Rundlett said 1t took about as long
to get the iron work ready as 1t did
to build the bridge. His idea was that
the contracts for the gubstructure and
superstructure should be let at once
Aid. Sanborn said the bridge would
last two or three years, and 1t would
be better not to spend $4,000 until
there was some sale for real estate on