Evening star., 1901-08-15
Bridge Construction,


toriously bad and worthy Of serious con-
sideration.
Bridge Construction.
'The principal item Of expenditure under
the appropriation for construction and re-
pairs Of bridges is for the construction of
concrete arch bridge over Broad branch
on the line Of the Argyle road. The con-
tract price for this bridge is s. 767 so,
$3,22S.2O of which will be paid from this ap-
preparation, consuming the entire balance.
The old bridge, Of timber and iron, was
built IN 1883. 1t was structurally very
weak, and entirely out of harmony with
its surroundings. The new bridge which
will consist Of concrete throughout was
designed by this Office, assisted by Mr..
Glenn Brown, architect. 1t has a span of
tWenty-four feet and rise of nine feet.
Fhis bridge is now under construction
The other work of considera BILE magni-
tude under this appropriation consisted of
laying new floors on bridges No. 80 (Cin-
cinnati street, and No. 81 (Woodley lane)
and the purchase Of lumber for bridge No
90 (Anacostia), amounting together to
s6,59ooI The sum of s., 3,165.26 was expend-
ed from the emergency appropriation for
the repair Of certain roads and bridges
damaged by the storm of June q 1909 in
the reconstruction of a bridge over Piney
branch on the line of Rock Creek drive.
Ihe bridge destroyed by the storm was of
culVert construction, having a span Of ten
feet. The plans for the new bridge were
prepared by the Meian Arch Construction
Company OF New York. under the direction
or this offiee. 1t consists of five centered
arch, having span of twenty-four feet
and rise of nine feet. 1t Is const ruct ed
Of concrete, incasing nine five-inch steel
T. beams. The entire bridge Is faced with
second-class masonry of good descrip-
ton. The waterway is double that of .he
old bridge, and all foundations are carried
to rock.
''The sum Of s22, 200 was appropriated for
the construction of bridge across Rock
creek on the line of the Quarry road I'm the
geological Park, to be built under the d.
rection of the Engineer Commissioner.
me old bridge was constructed Of tim
per and iron, and was in very unsafe con-
oltlon The plans for the new bridge were
prepared by the Melan Arch Construct ion
Company, under the direction Of this Office.
1t consists of single seven-centered arch
or eighty feet span and fourteen feet rise
and has an effective discharge area of 400
square feet. 1t is constructed of concrete
throughout with cement mortar face.
The arch incases ten steel latticed girders.
The foundations for the arch are carried to
rock, and those of the wing walls extend
about six feet below the natural surface IF
the ground. The bridge has been conn
p!eted excepting the construction of the
sidewalks and the grading of the creek.
The present balance is $77530
Concrete steel was used in these two
bridges In preference to steel or stone as
1t Is thought that it combines the beauty
and permanency Of the stone arch. with a
cost not more than so per cent great or
than that Of a steel bridge, the cost of
maintenance of which is a factor of great
moment. This construction is particularly
advantageous where fiat arch Is essential
as in the case of these bridges.
Connecticut Avenue Bridge.
IAN appropriation Of $4,000 was made
toward the construction of bridge across
Rock creek on the line Of Connecticut
avenue extended. The work is now under
construction. This appropriation will re-
suit in the completion Of the foundat tions
Of all piers from two to nine inclusive pfer
ana part or pier were previously con-
structed under the appropriation for 1899
All foundations have been carried to rock
and have been built up to within about
fve feet OF the natural surface Of the
ground. The bridge, which was designed
by Mr.. Morrison, will be of concrete with
granite asher facing. The soffits of the
arches and the spandrel walls, between
the faces Of the bridge. will be faced with
light-colored brick.
1.-The sum of $4,000 was appropriated for
continuing the construction of a bridge
across Rock creek on the line of Massa-
chusetts avenue extended, provided the
| necessary land, the title Of which was not
possessed by the District. The strip OF
, land lying Immediately adjacent to the
creek was the only piece not possessed by
demnation proceedings at cost of 81, ,O40 O5
The goo appropriated made total OF
| $4,000. which will complete the bridge
The work Is now under construction. The
masonry arch will be completed In October
after which must be made fill of 250,UO(
| cubic yards.
The once Estimates.
I'm conclusion have the honor to recon.
mend that the following amounts be ap.
propriated for the fiscal year ending 1908
For the ordinary care of bridges, $4,000; fol-
the construction and repair OF bridges
$4,000; for Anacostia bridge tfor necessary
bOrings. surveys, estimates and plans)
5000; for K street bridge over Rock creeh
| treconstruction), 10000: for Connecticut
| avenue bridge over Rock creek Qor con
tinuing construction), 500, 600
1T Is thought that the 100000 recon-
/ mended for Connecticut avenue will com
/ plete the bridge up to, the actual springinl
/ line of the arches. which 10 considered I
natural and proper limit. The appropria
ton for 10O2, amounting to $4,000, Wil