The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-03


1t is doubtful if a more dangerous
and interesting piece of bridge con-
etruction has ever been done at Nj
agara Falls than the building of the
new concrete arches between the
mainland and Goat island. The point
where operations are being conducted
Is right over the upper rapids, where
the waters dash furiously, as though
hungry to sweep human being down
through the rapids and over the Amer
ican fall. This interesting work is
only 500 feet back from the brink over
which SO many have been hurled to
death and the workmen have to use
the greatest care that they may not
fall into the forty-mile current of the
fascinating waters.
These new bridges are being built on
the state reservation lands and the
work is under the supervision of the
state engineer department. All sum-
mer long 1t has been necessary to use
a temporary wooden bridge only six
feet wide in passing to and from the
shore of Goat island The old bridges
have been closed to pedestrians, as
well as carriage travel, and it is many
months since an ambitious Niagara
haekman drove fare about the island.
1t is doubtful if the bridge will be
opened this fall The commissioner Of
the reservation will take steps to hur-
~ the work as much as possible, says
the Rochester Democrat.
When the new bridges are completed
they will add MATERIAL to the beauty
of the view looking from the mainland
to Goat island. They will be of con-
crete, but faced with stone in all
parts, and so will have every appear
ance of rustic stone structures. The
bridge from the mainland to Green
island will have length of 81 feet.
1t will have three spans. Surmounting
the structure there will be an iron rail-
ing of appropriate design.
Between Green island and Goat ISL
and the second bridge will be located,
and it is now well under way. This
bridge will be of the same style of con-
struction. but will not be quite SO
long. From shore to shore it will be
1913 feet. 1t will also have three spans
or arches.
The water over which the bridge is
being built varies in depth from six to
twelve feet and the current has
wonderful force in its hurry to plunge
over the falls and bury itself in the
waters Of the gorge Right in the cur
rent the contractors are forced to sink
cofferdams in order that the bottom
of the river may be reached for the
construction of the piers. 1t has been
found quite a task to shut out the
waters of the rapids, for the pressure
all about is awful. However, it has
been done, and the concrete for the
piers is placed in practically dry cof-
ferdam, the water that does enter
being pumped out by electric motors.
The concrete is mixed in mixers oper-
ated electrically. Men working in the
water have life lines about them, and
all about the dangerous points lines
are stretched and life buoys floating to
catch any workman who might be un-
fortunate enough to slip into the
water.
The consulting engineer is R. S.
Buck, who has won fame in connec-
ton with all the Niagara bridges, and
D. D. Waldo of Medina. is his assist
ant. While carriages have not been
allowed to cross to Goat island, the
reservation van service has been
maintained in order that aged people
might have some means of travelling
about the island All the vans and
horses used in this island service were
taken over before the bridges were
commenced.