St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-07-05
THE BRIDGE QUESTION.
The Motion to Build the summerviIIe
Viaduct Lost by n Tie Vote.

The special town meeting to take
action on the Summerville bridge ques-
tion was held in the Town Hall on Satur-
day afternoon and attended by about
moderator presided and in opening the
meeting paid his respects to the news
paper men and told the voters how a
vote that was doubtful would be even
tually decided. Mr.. Dunnett must be
given the credit Of being the best guesser
in seven states as he declared the only
vote taken lost. A ballot being called
for the motion was lost by one majority.
The first business taken up was the
special report of the committee ap'
pointed at the last meeting. We give
this report in full as presented by the
chairman Of the committee.
Your committee have given this matter
of proposed viaduct careful and so far
as the short time would admit, a
thorough consideration. The most
we have been able to do is to review the
information already received and make
such estimates for damages and changes
as we think will be required
There is apparently wide difference in
the estimates submitted by the several
parties in the cost of the steel work
and we have not been able to learn the
reason for this.
Before adopting the lowest or any
other plan for practical use of course
further investigation should be made.
For the purpose of presenting this
matter before this meeting, we have
made some approximate estimate based
upon the Pittsburg Bridge Co. figures,
which are the lowest offered and have
added 10 per cent to their prices for con-
tingencies, etc.
During the time we have had this
matter under consideration we have re-
ceived notice from the superintendent OF
the st. J. & L. c. R. r. that their COM
pany will not join in the expense of any
changes from the present plan of cross
ing at grade, giving as the reason their
lack of means to pay for the same, and
will contest the matter before the rail-
road commissioners, and in court, it
necessary.
Also have notice from E. T. Ide that if
Bay street is discontinued that he shall
claim damages under his contract with
the town made when the street was laid
out.
We ehave considered four plans
First. The building of the viaduct as
proposed in the resolution now before
the town, with wing for St. Mary
street and single deck bridge across
the river. This proposition presupposes
quite large land damages. According to
the Pittsburg Bridge Co. estimate this
plan can be constructed for the sum of
$30,250 exclusive of bridge abutments
and land damages.
This company and all the others. say
that they will not guarantee work if put
on the old abutments, so that we have
added $500 for abutments, and esti-
, mate the land damage at $4,000, maxi
ing total of $47.750.
We estimate the towns proportion at
$2S,750. We do not understand as the
railroad would be required to bear any
expense, east OF the west end of the
river bridge, and we have divided the
expense up to that point, in the proper
tion OF one third for the town and two.
thirds for the railroad, making their
part $4,000 for each road. upon the
!, basis such cases have been apportioned
{ by the railroad commissioners.
In estimating damages on this plan
nothing has been allowed to parties on
Bay street south of the creamery.
Second The building of the viaduct,
with a double deck bridge across the
river and an underpass tor st. Mary
street under the St. J. & L. c. track.
The construction of this plan calls for
an expense of $40, $50. The towns pro-
portion in this plan would be approx.
mately $31 $50, and the railroads $4,000
each This would not interfere with the
use of Bay street.
Third. The building OF vaduct over
B. & M. and St. ]. & l.. C.. tracks, then
running down to the level Of Portland
street at about the east end of The river
bridge. To do this with the present
bridge would necessitate the raising of
the bridge about five feet and the con.
struction of an underpass for ST. Mary
street or wing as in the resolution.
The expense of this plan, as near as
your committee can estimate, would be
S27 900, making the towns proportion
$4,000.
Fourth. The widening OF the present
underpass in the rear OF Mr.. Caldbecks
building or the store of Lougee & Smythe
to Al or 46 feet and clear height of IL
feet; closing the present grade crossing
of the Passumpsic division OF the B. g. M.
r. r. leaving ST. Mary street to continue
the grade crossing OF the St. ]. & l.. c.
and out by the way of the underpass.
The X. X. Co.'S estimate for this plan
is SIS, 900, of which they will pay Go per
cent leaving $3.50 for the town, and
guarantee that il the cost is more than
the estimate. that the towns proportion
shall not exceed $4,000.
This includes all expense for construc-
ton, grading and land damages.
Your committee submits this without
recommendations as the time allowed
for this work has been too short to
gather the information needed for Il work
OF so much Importance to the town.
Signed, o. w. ORcUTT,
GEORGE RANNEY,
{. H. STEVENS,
A. II. MCLEOD.
In the above report the committee have
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