Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-22

Mayor Dodge favors a steel bridge at
the lake instead of the stone structure
ordered by the city council last year. 1t
was stated in the Spy some weeks ago
that he had instructed City Engineer
Mcclure to see what could be done for
$100, 900 in the way of meeting the COM
plants of those persons who have from
the first insisted that the stone bridge
was not large enough, and did not fur
nish water way enough. Mr.. Mcclure
has finished his work, making draw
ing of beautiful steel structure of the
cantilever style, a sketch of which ap-
pears herewith.
The mayor, in his communication, sets
forth that the proposed steel bridge can
be built for S99 900, and that the Webb
Granite and Construction company not
only offers to build it for that sum, but
also to hold the city free from damages
for violation of the contract for the
stone bridge. The following is the may
or's communication, which was referred
| jointly to the finance committee and the
street committee of the city council:
Mayors office Feb 81, 1898.
To the city council of the city Of Wor-
cester:
L
tention to a very important work soon
to be constructed, the contract for which
| has already been executed. In the in
vestigation of details connected with the
| erection of bridge at Lake Quinsiga-
mond, the main features of said bridge
have attracted my attention, and have
led to a serious consideration as to
whether the proposed structure is rea-
| sonably sufficient.
| the ma T9 mount object of
building a bridge is to give waterway
connecting the north and south parts OF
the lake, it is unwise to proceed without
making certain that such waterway
will be commensurate with the expen-
| fiture incurred and in keeping with the
size, attractiveness and demands of
| this most important natural body of
water within our territory.
| AS a matter of comparison and to af-
ford authentic information in the prem
| ises, a design for three arch steel
| bridge has been prepared, providing for
| total length of 442 feet, width so feet,
clear of waterway 365 feet, and 20 feet
space above the water The stone
bridge contracted for is 246 feet long, IS
| feet wide, $50 feet waterway, with 10
| feet space above the water.
1t will be noticed that very much
larger proportion of the whole struc-
ture, as shown by the last design, is utt-
lized for waterway than is so utilized
in that of the stone bridge. Competitive
figures have been obtained for the con-
struction Of this steel bridge, and as
result the Webb Granite and Construc-
ton company, being the lowest, have
made a proposition to do such construc-
ton complete, including all necessary
filing for the approaches, for $99, ,OOO0O,
substituting a new contract for the FOR
mer one. with no damages, so that this
amount represents the total actual cost.
BY substituting this new design, o0
per cent added to the cost will give 100
per cent more waterway, feet add1-
tionaI width, and feet more space be-
tween the bridge and the water. 1t
| appears that no satisfactory enlarge
ment Of the stone bridge can hereafter
be made. so that this comparatively
small waterway provided for. practical
ly means the limit of what can be had
unless a change is made now / regard
this matter of so much consequence.
that it seems plainly my duty to call
attention to it, in order that all possible
caution may be taken in avoiding the
error too often made in the past, of
building Inadequate public structures. l
cannot believe it wise to take any step
which will prevent the ultimate devel-
opment OF our lake in a manner fitting
| its beauty and Importance. l there
fore trust that the question may be
carefully and speedily considered
The design and specifications are in
the hands of the city engineer for your
inspection. Respectfully,
Rufus B. Dodge, Jr., Mayor.
The cut of the proposed bridge which
the Spy presents this morning hardly
does it justice, as it is copy of Mr..
McClure's working drawing with no
perspective or accessories to show it up.
The contract which Mr.. Webb is willing