Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-29

of foundations only. and cannot be utilized
until Congress adopts a definite plan for
the bridge at each locality. Pans fer the
Connecticut avenue bridge were submit ted
TO Congress by the Commissioners after
receiving competitive designs, the design
submitted by Mr.. Geo. II. Morrison being
recomme nded by the Commissioners. No
preference. however. has been expressed
by Congress in making the appropriation
for the foundation. FIR the Massachuset- 9
avenue bridge two designs were submitted
by the chief of engineers. one for ma
sonry structure and one for steel arcn
bridge. the number of spans in each of the
two bridges being different and of course,
the footings or foundations for the piers
varying in number and position. NO
recommendation was made by the chief OF
engineers and no preference has BEEN ex-
pressed by Congress. 1t will therefore be
impossible to locate the points AT which
the foundations should be constructed
until Congress decides upon the class of
bridge to be built.
The work of laying foundations is now
under advertisement. and 1t is proposed 10
execute a contract with n the next thirty
days, work on which will be commenced as
soon as Congress indicates which plan 1t
prefers.
Work Already Done.
During the year the P street bridge
crossing Rock crack was widened by the
addition of brackets upon each sde 80 as
to give the formerly very narrow bridge at
this place the same width as the street on
either side Contract has been made for
lateral for flooring the Aqueduct bridge,
the old flooring having become so rough
and the joists having shown signs OF con-
siderable decay. These joists had formerly
decayed upon the upper side to such an ex-
tent that they were unable to hold the
spikes of the flooring, but the appropria-
tions made by Congress were so insufficient
that it was impossible to purchase new
ha6 IN no fI,ryl ad
over, the lower side showing less decay
tfan the upper side. They have now be-
&C me weak that ii is absolutely neces-
sary to purchase new materials, and the
flooring of this bridge will practically ex-
hsust the bridge appropriation for thu pres
ent year.
IA steel girder bridge was built across
Rock creek on Blagden Mill road, replacing
ar old wooden and iron truss bridge at that
point. which had become so weak that 1t
was necessary to prop 1t up. New bridges
will he greatly needed upon the road which
il is proposed to build between Rlagden Mill
road and the Military road skirting the
creek. No appropriation, however, has been
made for this, and it will probably be i'm
possible TO get them built until funus are
secured.
g The Navy Yard bridge should be re-
placed, but no request was made this year
for an appropriation for the purpose, on &C
count of the greater urgency of other mat
ters and desire to obtain more detailed
plans concerning the structure which
should be built there.
Policy of the COmmi ssiOners.
The general policy of the office to re-
move the small bridges on the various
county roads crossing small streams will
be carried out during the coming year. A
culvert costs practically nothing for repair,
the masonry requiring no further attention
than occasional pointing up OF the joints.
while wooden bridge is source Of con-
tinual expense. There was a survey made
under the direction of the chief of engineers
for a bridge over the Anacostia river on
the line of Massachusetts avenue; ap-
preparation was also made for securing the
necessary information for preparing plans
for the proposed memorial bridge across the
Potomac. This work, however. comes I'M
der the chief of engineers, and the Com
missioners have nothing to do with 1t.
The question of replacing the Long
bridge by a more durable structure has, /
believe. been considered. but nothing will
probably be done in the matter until the
terminal plans for the railroads entering the
city from the south are agreed upon
1T Is the belief of your committee that
by earnest and energetic work during the
coming session of Congress there can be
procured from that body such legislation
will authorize the construction of the
memorial bridge and will appropriate d
substantial sum OF money for the beginning
of work upon it