The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1903-01-23
PASSAIC BRIDGE.
Hudson and Essex Freehold
ers Discuss Plans for
Changing the Bridge
Span.


over the Passaic at Bridge street to
point to connect Chester street, Newark,
with Halstead street, Kearny, and build
another and more substantial structure
at Bridge street, was discussed at length
at last nights meeting of the Hudson
and Essex Freeholders' joint bridge COM
mittee, at the committees Office, adjoin-
ing the Bridge street bridge.
The matter waA brought up by Free
holder John W. Roche, of Kearny, at
the conclusion of the discussion as to
the repairs needed at the several bridges
under the control of the committee. He
called attention to the great need and
increasing demand for bridge to con-
meet Kearny and Newark and the almost
imperative necessity OF replacing the
present antiquated Bridge street bridge
with a heavier structure, capable of
carrying the traffic at that point He
thought. by adopting the plan suggested
that both needs could be met and the
joint committees obtain practically two
new bfidges for little more than the
cost of one.
paid annually for the repair of the Bridge
street bridge would easily pay the in
teRest on the cost of both improvements.
FreehOlder prank E. Ward of Essex
said that while ordinarily Essex would
take advantage of any such proposition
coming from Hudson, he was afraid
that at this time it would be impossible,
in viz Of bn IN Sl.4i far
authority to build two new bridges on
the Plank road, to carry to a successful
issue the proposition for still another
new bridge.
Freeholder William Dahm. of Hudson,
chairman of the joint committee, and
Freeholder Vanderbach, of Hudson. both
agreed as to the need of new Bridge
street bridge.
In reply to Freeholder Ward, Free
holder Roche said that he thought that
if the bill Introduced by Senator Hud-
speth for the Plank road bridges became
law no other. legislation would be neces-
sary, because under il bonds could also
be issued for The other improvements
suggested.
Freebooter Conrad Hoerl. of Essex,
while admitting the need of new bridge
at Bridge street, agreed with Ereeholder
Ward that il t@ceuld hardly be obtained
at present.
All present, however. seemed faXofably
disposed towards the plan and the Hud-
son members announced that they would
ask. the sanction of their Board at its
next meeting. and if additional legisla-
tion was necessary to try and obtain the
same.
! There was considerable discussion as
to the advisability of changing the power
on the jackson street bridge from cleo
tricity to steam. The objection to the
present power was because of its cost,
$1.519 to turn the draw and about $4O0
for lights during the year, as against
| about $500 for the same on the bridge
and Clay street bridges together.
1t was estimated that it would cost
about $1,000 to install a suitable steam
/ plant on the bridge and this plan was fa-
yored by several. but Freeholder Hoerl
b, thought with necessary repairs made to
I, the present electrical machinery at a cost
of about 81 900 the expense of operating
the bridge would be lessened considera-
| bly,.
Freeholders Roche of Hudson and
Hoerl and Pierce of Essex, We're appoint
ed committee to inquire into the ad-
visibility of making the proposed change
with instructions to report to the joint
body at its next meeting.
1t was decided to make ali necessary
repairs to the Bridge and Clay streets
| bridges as soon as practicable and if
| possible paint the last named structure.