The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-27
Disintegration Is Sufficient to
Greatly Weaken 1t.
J CAUSED BY RUST.
Large Pieces of Iron May Be
Pulled Of.
Council Will Discuss What Is
to Be Done.

Those who deal in old iron would do
well to figure on a price for the Sixth
street viaduct, for it has been discov-
cred hat the metallic portions of the
structure are disintegrating at an
alarming rate. The east and west ap-
proaches are likely at any time to be-
come dangerous, and are apparently
past repair, except by replacing the
iron Orders with new ones. h central
spans of the iaduc are also in a
condition. but can probably be preserv-
ed by speedy repairs.
The cause of the deterioration is par
TALLY water and partially the smoke
and gases from the railway locomo-
tives.
Great slices of rusty iron are scaling
off from the iron girders which support
the two approaches of the bridge. With
no assistance but ones fingers it is
possible to remove slabs of iron a quar-
ter of an inch thick, and as large OVer
as ones two hands. Hundreds of bolts
which are supposed to mold the flooring
to the iron girderS have ruSted off, and
the general lOOSening of the various
parts of the structure has caused q
serious vibration to set in which threat
ems to become much worse as the de-
terioratiOn progresses.
The floor of the viaduct, which was
laid with great care and at an expense
of several thousand dollars about two
years age is still in fairly good condi-
ton, apparently, though the projecting
ends of the planks are very rotten and
soft in many parts of the viaduct.
The bad condition of the viaduct was
reported to Mayor Hughes by Council
maj Joseph Griley of the Second ward,
and yesterday Mr.. Griley and Mayor
Hughes visited the viaduct and made a
careful investigation.
Something ought to be done to save
the viaduct," said Mayor Hughes. 1T
sr nAxfn IN w IN hnI oloNo h 1 40 fi0r1
of the structure is very noticeable, and
the iron is in terrible condition. With
my hands 1 broke off pieces of iron
from the girderS which would weigh
half a pound"
City Engineer McCabe and Street
COMMISSIONS Snyder claimed that the
viaduct only needs a coat of paint TO
preserve it. However,, MI. LEGAL ad-
mitted that he had not inspected the
viaduct for three months, and Mr.. Sny-
der said he had not looked at it for over
a month.
IF there is any vibration in the
structure said Mr.. McCabe, the prob
ability is that it can be stopped by
simply tightening the braces. This could
be easily done. The braces sometimes
work loose. 1 have always considered
the viaduct one of the most substantial
structures in T~opekasas far as the iron
work is concerned7as solid and free
from vibration as is the Melan bridge
when 1 looked at the viaduct," said
Mr.. Snyder, Il was Interested especially
in the condition of the flooring. which
1 found to be in good shape. 1 know
thai there is some rust on the iron.
This is due in part to the effect of the
coal smoke and gas from engines. which
is very damaging to iron / think it is
due to the sulphur in the smoke. L
think that if the rusted portion is
scraped, off. and the iron is painted, it
will hold. Rust is sort Of a disease
which Is hard to stop when once it gets
started"
The iron Orders at the approaches
are Hanged to enable bolts to be run
through, fastening the floor of the
bridge to the Orders. Apparently the
water has soaked through the cracks
between the boards, and rusted the
fanges and the bolts so badly that there
is practically nothing left of them The
result is that the flooring of the bridge