Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-02-28
NOVELTIES ON BRIDGES
Pleasure Palaces Proposed For
East River Structures.
FAIR7LAED SCENES AT NIGHT.

Plans For BiackweIIs Island, VIII
Hamburg and No. 3 bridges az
New York Contemplate Music
Halls, Concerts and Midways "A
Most Novel Promenade Suggested.
New plans for the Blackweils island
bridge and for bridge No. 8 in New
York city recently announced contem-
plate not agly beautiful structures in
point Of architecture but also places Of
amusement, says the New York Amerf-
can. The changed plans for bridge No.
3 have been agreed OH and now await
the action Of the art commission. They
have been 50 universally commended
that suggestions of plans for similar
improvements on the Blackwells island
bridge have been made, and they are
likely to receive favorable considera-
ton in the very nea future. The APP
proaches and the general features of
the work of the Blackwells island
bridge permit the addition of the at
tractive improvements. The location OF
the bridge, with its magnificent view
of the sound and the various islands,
will make 1t a popular resort.
Besides the promenades and orna-
mental stairways there will be play
grounds for the children and places for
open air concerts. Application for
amusement places resembling a mid
way have been made and will probably
be granted. This will be In the nature
of an arcade on both the Manhattan
and the Queens borough approaches.
Plans for a music hall, which may
be open to the breezes in summer and
Enclosed In winter, are being prepared,
and broad platforms, with seats and ta-
bles for luncheon parties, are also in
cluded.
1t is the purpose of New York city
to utilize the vast spaces in the new
bridges similar to those in the old
Brooklyn bridge that are taken up with
solid masonry, allowing only small
places for storehouses. The open IRON
work of the new bridges permits of
places of amusement and breathing
spots without ~detracting from the
strength or utility of the bridge proper.
The Blackwells island bridge will be
the resort of the crowded upper east
side, as will bridge No. 3 for the lower
east side. The Blackwells island bridge,
with its proposed pleasure places, will
become popular the very day 1t is
thrown open to the public. One grea.
feature of this bridge is hat prom
enaders will be able to take trolley
car at various points without going
back to the terminus.
By the suggested plans the Black
wells island bridge will be a sort Of
continuation of recreation piers In sum-
mer and with Enclosures a pleasure re-
sort In winter. Commissioner Linden
thai has announced that he expects
bridge No. 3 to be ready In three years.
The Blackwells island bridge win be
much earlier.
One of the features of bridge No. 3
will be link bar cables. Instead of
stringing wires from tower to tower
and building the cables In the perilous
manner Of old bridges bars of nickel
steel are clamped together and fas-
tened to the tower. This method of
building a cable makes the work Of
constructing the span across the river
quicker by nearly one-third the time
required in making the cables Of wire.
The commissioner hopes to have the
span of the Williamsburg bridge com-
pleted by April /. 1t Is expected that
when the line of approach to the Will
liamsburg bridge is finally determined
on many of the novel features now In
tended for the Blackwells island bridge
and bridge No. 3 will be included.
Hereafter all bridges contemplated by
New York city will have the archi-
tectural features that are to transform
the Blackwells island bridge and
bridge No. 8 from ugly outlines to those
of beauty and grace. The outlines of the
Blackwells island bridge as planned
originally made it look like an ordinary
railroad bridge. The inartistic beams
and braces of the original plan have
been replaced by arched beams, max
ing the view from the towers appear
like a vaulted archway.
InlS promenade VIII oe TIC "Aucst,
cleanest and sightliest bridge prom
enade in the world. If 1t is determined
to establish a moving sidewalk on this
bridge, a subject now under considera-
ton, it will be the most move prom
enade In the world. Suggestions for
resting spots and rejection places along
the promenade are under consideration,
as we'll as at the tower ~promenades.
Elevators and stairways at h towers
and midway between the approaches
and the river are also being considered.
The whole matter nov lies with the
art commission. which will concede
everything for public comfort and
pleasure. provided there is no inter
ference with the general outlines of b