The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-19
EXPERT BRIDGE OPINION
CITY ENGINEERS REPORT TO THE
BOARD Oh WORKS.
An Expenditure of Between $1,000 and
5000 VIII Put the struc-
ture I'm Good Repair.

City Engineer James b. Nelson embodied
the results Of ms examination of the condi-
ton OF the Washington-street bridge over
White river yesterday afternoon in a re-
pors to the Board OF Works. Dir. Nelson
states in detail the weaknesses of the de-
fective structure and recommends that Ger
tain improvements be made Immediately.
With the expenditure of from $3.50 TO
S3.0oG the city engineer thinks the old bridge
can be put into such shape that IL will be
safe for general use by the public for sew
eraI years. Ills report TO the board is as
follows.
II have BEER asked by you to make an
examination of the West Washington
street bridge over White river and TO re-
port 10 you the present condition OF the
same, together with suggestions and rec
concentrations for strengthening and put
ting 1t in safer condition for traffic. In
accordance herewith, / have the honor TO
submit the following:
"On Dec. Is a message came TO my office
stating that the rods in this bridge were
breaking. L at once proceeded to examine
the bridge and found that five OF the
diagonal truss rods in adjoining panels OF
the center truss Of the middle span were
broken; one rod being broken at another
point, also. While these rods were not the
main supporting members of the truss, L
considered the bridge In a sufficiently dan
gerOus condition to warrant a discontinue
tiOn Of traffic until repairs could be made.
On my advice, the board ordered that
traffic be stopped. The indianapolis Street
railway ompany replaced the broken rods
the same day. Since this time the bridge
has been used only by the street-ra1lway
company in a restricted manner, and by
foot passengers, all vehicle traI1c DelhS
diverted to the old National road wooden
bridge nearby. j that the
above restrictions be maintained until the
repairs hereinafter suggested can be MADE,
notwithstanding the bridge IS now prOoaDly
In about as good condition as 1t has been
for some months past.
II find the floor jOists are in a falr STATE
OF preservation. but the cross bridging or
bracing between the joists. while not DeIns
quite as complete. originally, as ! misn.
have been, has become displaced In many
places, thereby detracting from the gen
er3u stiffness and rightly of the hoor syS--
tenn as a whole. This cross bridging snoutG
be substantially repaired, an OCcdSiOI,dI
new joist being added where needed Inc
old door should be entirely removed ana a
new three-inch floor put down In It's place
The street-railway company has consent
ed. at the time the floor system Is being
reconstructed. to replace the small, llSht
rails now on the bridge, with much strong
e. and sitter ones. These viii contribute
much toward distributing the weight or
the cars as il is transmitted TO the bridge,
and will add materially TO the general rig
idity Of the structure as "A whole.
The upper and lower chords OF the sew
eral trusses are in fairly good condition,
so far as any inspection l have been able
To make would indicate. The greatest dan
ger of accident is. and the most trouble
heretofore has been, with the web members
connecting the upper and lower chores.
Each of the main star-shaped web mem
bers / propose to reinforce with an entire
" new rod Of equal strength with. the or
iginal member, placed alongside thefeOl.
The upper ends of the diagonal rods con-
stituting the balance of the web members,
have many of them been weakene by un-
due strains and excessive vibration. 1t was
some of these rods which broke recently
and several of which heretofore at differ
tnt times have given away. / propose 10 re-
move each of these rods, to cut off the
upper weakened end and recut the threads,
also to cut the rod and insert therein a
turnbuckle which will the more readily
permit OF the rods being kept adjusted.
TT masonry abutments and piers are
i'm such condition that nothing need be
done with them at the present time. APP
improvements will amount to from $500 to
5000, about twO-thirds of which is en-
braced in the new floor. Under its contract
with the city the Indianapolis Street-rai-
way Company is required to maintain be-
tween the tracks and for eighteen inches
each side thereof the flooring of all bridges
crossed by its tracks. In the case OF the
washingtOn-street bridge this amounts to
approximately two-thirds of the two road
ways. | respectfully that the
improvements which | have outlined be
authorized at once. When they have been
made, l feel safe in saying this bridge
will be in much better condition that 1t
has been for years, and il may again be
thrown open to general traffic under certain
restrictions which | shall be pleased to
call To the attention of the board later.
Practically this is about the best that can
be tone with present structure. The bridge
IS of obsolete and faulty design and in
adequate for the present and increasing
heavy traffic to which 1t is subjected"
The Board of Works. City Engineer Mel
son, Vice President Jones, of the Indian
apOlis Street-railway Company. and the en-
gineer for the company determined yester-
day the details Of the plan for improving
the bridge. Repairs will be begun the
first of next week and will be finished be-
fore the end of the month. The street.
Z ailway company assumes the cost of re-
pairing the floors and half the expense of
the other reDairs.