New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-09

grown the facilities that in 1873 were more
than ample.
The tubular bridge, designed 10y Sir George
Stephenson end built by the famous Brassey
five years being taken up III its construction
had but one track, 5000 feet long. Enclosed IN
a huge tube having diameter Of hficcn ieet
To prevent the possibility Of disaster II was
operated on the block system. by which no TWO
trains could he on the bridge at tho same time
In consequence there was always congestion
Of trains az each end of the bridge resulting in
much lose and annoyance. Mr. Hays satisfied
himself that the twenty-five immense piers
which support the superstructure were capable
of carr. ing a much greater burden and then
gave contracts for the remodeng OF the bridge
at a cost OF 100000. This great work. after
two years Of labor is now virtually completed.
THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE
The great tube Of painted iron spanning the
ST Lawrence-IOng Of the great sights or
Montreal-has given place to the open appear
ance OF the or linary railway truss bridge. The
roadway consists Of double track, one for out
going and the other for incoming trains. and
alongside IS a driv eway for vehicles and a foot
path for pedestrians These additional features
have been added in repayment Of public sab
sides and will prov Of enormous benefit "a
from Montreal who have hitherto been able to
reach the city only by ferry III summer and
the ice bridge in winter. The footrath IS not
likely TO be much patrOLized; a two-milo walk
at the elevation Of the bridge would prove
chilly enterprise III winter and an uncomfortably
warm one in summer time. The railway com
pany is also under obligation to give electric
cars access 70 the bridge when demanded The
trolley cars VIII run the railway tracks
The bridge from shore to shore Is ., fSI feet
In length. 1t is divided into - spans Of III
feet each. with centre span Of $50 feet. The
bridge leaves the abutments - feet above the
water and gradually rises until in the centre
it is GO feet above the surface Of the 81 Law
renee. This is sufficient to permit passageway
10 tie large river steamers The piers on which
the bridge rests are solidly bunt Of stone with
wedge shaped wa;cr-cuttor pointing up stream.
This was the device Of the engineers TO prevent
the bridge being damaged by the great ice
shovee which take place each spring and il has
proved successful SO solidly built are these
piers that, though the weight upon them
10y reason Of the change ~ Ia" supcIstructuro.
has been Increased from 5000 tons t. - 600
tons they are easily equal t. the demand made
upon them The bridge has Roadway OF twenty
feet and presents al imposing appo arance from
up or down the stream. The change is also
much appreciated by travellers for II Was a dis
NAL enough business passing through the tube
II was t. all nicnts and purposes tunnel
broker here and ia -re 10y small grated openings
and ae the trains ran very slowly nervous
women and children found the ordeal a
what trying one.
The making over OF the bridge involved "A
great deal of hard work II had been put to-
gethcr to resist the ages and all that they might
bring and the task Of dismantlng the tube