Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-24
AQUEDUCT BRIDGE
Colonel Allen Says. That It Should Be
Rebuilt.
DECLARES IT is INA STATE OF DECAY
Special Report to the War De-
partment.
THE REPAIRS ON PIER NO. 4

THE REPAIRS ON PIER NO. 4
According to Col Charles ]. Allen, the
engineer officer in charge OF the improve
ment OF the Potomac river. the Aqueduct
bridge Is In a steady state of decay and
should be entirely rebuilt with new piers
ana abutments (pier excepted) and new
superstructure.
In a special report to the War Depart
ment on this subject he gives a history
OF the bridge and a detailed statement OF
recent operations to put the structure in
good repair.
Rebuilding Pier Four.
The work Of reconstruction of pier
began under contract about May %, 1897,
but Col. Allen says the progress was slow,
and IN the spring Of 1893 work upon it
suspended Another contract was then
made, and under 1t the old pier was taken
down and new one built by the close Of
1900.
In taking down the old pier Col. Allen
OF even poorer quality than had been be-
ifeved. The upper portion of the pier, as
well as the lower, was Of such poor quality
that It was readily removed with picks
ana shovels. AT about water level the
character OF the masonry improved slight
ly and was somewhat more difficult to
remove. while below the level of low tide
1t deterioratel rapidly and no cementing
material other than liver mud appeared
toward the base which rested upon rip
rap and debris. The lower stones were re-
moved without the slightest difficulty by
chain hooks only.
This pier as rebuilt, Col. Allen says, is of
good, strong masonry. All the other piers
iold piers are of good size, and If they
had been pr1rerly putt, he says, they
would be capable of sustaining much
greater loads than they now carry.
Condition of Other Piers.
In compliance with a call from Congress.
an examination Of piers Nos. 1, 2, 3, 3, 6,
and was made by submarine diver in
February last. During the examination
several piers Of the bridge were found to
be in bad condition
AS result OF this examination Congress,
by act approved March 3, 1901, provided:
That Of the unexpended balance of the
duct bridge, District of Columbia the sum
OF 5! $50 may be used. under the direction
of the Secretary Of War, for the tempo
rary protection Of said bridge
This work, which was done by hired
labor, was actively CO menced April 90
and completed June 13, 1901 being delayed
during its progress by two freshets In the
river, during which operations had to be
entirely suspended.
All holes discovered in the piers during
two thorough exa ninations by diver)
large enough and aep enough to receive
ana hold half sat6 or more of concrete
were filled in, the bags being showed into
place and tamped so as to fill rregulari-
ties. Afterward riprap was placed, with
the aid of the diver, SO as to cover the
largest of these patches. as a protection
against erosion and the impact of logs
ice ana other drift during times of freshet
Large Cavities Found.
The largest single cavity was found in
the ice breaker Of pie% No. 5, 147S cubic
yards Of concrete being required for it's
repair; the next largest caE ity was one of
6.5 cubic yards in the south side of pier
No. 6; while cavities of 5.5 cubic yards
were found both in the south side Of pier
No. 1 and in the north side of pier No. 8.
side Of pier No. T.
The other cavities filled in were smaller
In size, averaging generally but a few
cubic feet in contents.
The hole in the ice-heaker of pier No 8
was located from seven to twelve feet be-
of the large holes mentioned were within a
few feet Of the river bed.
although the repaired and protected
PIERS" says Colonel Allen, ARE in about
as good condition as it was practicable to
place them without entire reconstruction,
inasmuch as most, II not ALL of these cayf-
ties just repaired had formed since the
similar repairs were completed in 1894, 1t
seems entirely probable that the process Of
dissolution will continue Indefinitely If the
present piers are allowed to remain
These old piers, 1. 2, 3, s, g. 7 and 8,
were built In 1s34-1s40. Pier No. was also
originally built, 1S34-1s4O. but 1t was en-
tirely reconstructed in 1900.
This bridge should be rebuilt with new
piers and abutments (pier excepted), and
new superstructure, all to conform to pres
md fva
The Proposed New Structure.
Regarding the proposition for a new
superstructure on the bridge piers, fitted
for street cars, carriages and foot passen-
gers, Colonel Allen says in part.
1.-The general condition of the piers Of the
Aqueduct bridge land probably Of. the
abutments) Is unsatisfactory and not such
as would be tolerated In masonry piers or
foundations built today to support a pub
lie structure. The great size and weight
Of these old piers, they now are, of poor
masonry In parts without mortar, may
enable them to resist ordinary floods and
wear and tear for time. but for how long
no one can predict-there is no certainty
that another food like that of 1880 may not
fatally injure several Of the old piers
Therefore, I would say that, in my opinion,
these old piers cannot be regarded as safe
for sustaining a new superstructure to ac-
commodate street cars, carriages (auto-
mobiles included) and foot passengers II
increased loads are to be carried across the
Potomac at the site of the present Aque-
duct bridge, 1 would respectfully recon-
mend that the bridge be entirely rebuilt
(both sub and superstructure), except pier
No. 4, which Is now in excellent condition,
and that to facilitate this an appropriation
of So, 600 be made to defray the expense Of
examination, by diver, at the north and
south abutments and also Of examination
Of the river bed and approaches at and
about the line Of the bridge, and also for
working up plans and estimates to be sub
mitted to Congress. The cost of the ex-
animation is placed at about $500, and of
the working up Of plans and estimates at
about 81 200
The Estimated Cost.
..There are numerous elements which
should be carefully considered before an
accurate estimate Of the cost Of construct
,,~ neuu and suitable bridge Ut thts s,+.