The Washington times., 1901-11-05
AN old LANDMARK TO GO
Long Bridge to Be Replaced by a
Modern Structure.
Plans at Present Contemplated by
the Pennsylvania Railroads.&c.
Iaands of Growing Trafic-Sccre-
tary Roots Letter to Nr. Cassatt.

Inands of Growing Traiiic-Sccre-
tnry Roots Letter to Nr. Cassatt.
PHILADELPHIA Nov 4.-The historic
Long Bridge across the Potomac, which
for over forty years has been landmark
pointed out to visitors, viii shortly give
place to a modern steel structure. Chief
Engineer Brown, of the Pennsylvania
Railroad, has Invited bids on the masonry
for the piers and abutments Of the new
bridge, which will be located Immediately
west Of the present bridge and parallel
with it. There will be eleven spans and
draw in the new bridge, which will be
2,496 feet long and 13 feet above the water;
six spans of 2l6 feet inches each, two Of
2O3 feet inches each, three of 110 feet
inches each, and the draw, which Will be
the longest span, its length being 2S9 feet
inches. 1t Will be a double track
structure
This work is of great Importance, as
the bridge will be used, as is the present
Long Bridge. by all trains between Wash
ington and the South. For some time the
matter of replacing the old bridge with n
modern one capable of standing the neavy
traffice which the four great Southern rail-
way systems must send acrossthe Potomac
has been under serious consideration. The
Long Bridge has been braced and
Strengthened, but still it is deemed unsafe
for the heavy trains to more than creep
over it This costs time, which modern
railroad methods cannot spare.
Secretary Root communicated. some
days ago, with President Cassatt, of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company with a
view to securing a modification Of the
plans for the railroad bridge across the
Potomac a .Dlace fhe Fridge.
he proposed changes in the plans viii
guarantee a structure which will be in I
harmony with the general scheme of park |
development in the District The mem |
bers of the Park Commission have been |
consulted in regard to the proposed rail- |
road bridge, and Will cooperate with the !
railroad in the improvement of approaches |
to the city. The railroad company is
understood to favor this plan.
Immediately upon the receipt of Sec |
rotary Roots letter. which is dated Oc- |
tober y, the railroad company advertised
for bids for the masonry and abutments |
OF the proposed bridge. a Pratt truss |
bridge, to be constructed of steel, and |
eleven feet higher than the present Long |
Bridge is proposed. 1t will be construct |
ed upon eleven piers and one draw span |
pier. all to he built upon pile foUnda ion. |
with the exception Of the draw span, |
which will be built upon pneumatic |
foundations. These plans will be modi |
fed to suit the ideas OF the War Depart !
ment- The position Of this Department |
is set forth in the following letter Of |
OCTOBER 20. 1901.
Mr. A j. Cassatt. President the Penn |
sylvania Railroad Company, Philadel- |
phia. Pa.
Dear Sir: Referring to your applica-
tion of April II last, and to subsequent /
correspondence on the subject, / have the /
honor to transmit herewith for retention |
an instrument approving, under authority !
of the Act Of Congress approved Febru-
airy L, 1901. the design, drawings and |
af ion Of fgrflf
the Potomac River in lieu Of the present
long Bridge, subject to the conditions set
forth in said instrument.
I'm approving these plans. however, l |
feel constrained to again call attention
TO the views of the board Of engineers
and the chief of engineers, United States
Army, concerning the Importance of hav-
ing the superstructure of this bridge con-
structed with a view to a more pleasing
architectural effect. These views were |
set out in my letter to you of July 10, and /
are as follows:
- The board is of opinion that the pro-
posed new bridge viii not be an unreason-
able obstruction to navigation of the Po- |
tonlac River. But. while recommending
the plans for the proposed structure gen
orally, viz. the number and width of
spans. the clear headroom. the line for
the bridge crossing. etc, all as herein de-
scribed. the board would like to see
change from the style of the proposed
superstructure, which, as now planned. is |
to be of an ordinary form Of railroad
bridge truss, to one more pleasing in de-
sign AID in keeping with the situation
The proposed details Of piers are not
shown on the plans The bridge is to be an
approach to the capital Of the nation from
the great railroads traversing and to traV-
erse immense areas of our country, and
II would undoubtedly crafty the cOmmu-
nifty If such a change as Is suggested |
could be effected, and the board believes
that the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad /
Company, whose public-spirited policy is
well known. would be willing, owing to
the exceptional situation, to give the mat
ter careful consideration If the suggestion
of more pleasing architectural effect
were brought to its attention.
In this connection. and in response to
the assurances contained in your reply Of
July 90 1901. that your company will be
the War Department may desire to pre-
sent it is to be observed that this new |
bridge is to be one of the principal ap- |
proaches to the capital Of the nation a |
proposed to be erected in the near future. I
and any modification in the style Of |
superstructure which the Baltimore and /
Potomac Railroad Company may be !
pleased to make, with view to securing |
a more imposing design and producing an |
architectural effect more in harmony with |
the exceptional situation of this bridge.
will be gratifying alike TO the War De- |
] am sure would also be highly apprec- |
ated by the thousands Of our countrymen /
who annually visit the Capital City.
''The chief OF engineers. United States |
Army. will. II desired. be glad to cooper
ate with the company in carrying out tho
above suggestion. and the War Depart /
ment would be glad to receive any further
expressions you may be pleased to make
of your views and conclusions In the mat
Very respectfully.
"ELIHU ROOT Secretary of War"