Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-10
Bridge Construction.

1.-THE rebuilding of the Long bridge has
long been contention between the cor
poration to which Congress gave its use
and the public. 1t has at last been deter
mined by affirmative action Of Congress
that a new and great railway bridge and
a new and great highway bridge shall be
built, both of these new bridges to take
the place of what is known today as the
Long bridge, a wooden structure long since
past the meridian of use, which has been
evidenced recently by the breaking down
of the north end of the draw, carrying with
it the tender of an engine, a baggage car
and the life of at least one man, with ap-
parently no excuse for the accident; it was
unfit for use, the timebrs having long since
passed their meridian of usefulness. The
remainder of the bridge must necessarily
be in the same condition; another accident
is possible at any moment. Within the
next year, however, this old structure will
have passed away ana the two magnificent
bridges first referred to will be in active
use.
amount Of public discussion has been given
has not vet been secured-that is to say,
the bridge which will span the Potomac
river joining the north and south together
an act of sentiment as well as a bridge or
usefulness Your committee on bridges has
this matter in mind and will at the proper
time give it active support, to the END that
Congress may SO legislate upon 1t as to
make 1t a fact
."The Aoueduct bridge connecting George
town with the Virginia shore Is about to
be reconstructed, and within very rev
months will be in first-class condition, upon
which not only vehicles Of all kinds can be
arried but which will be used by the Great
Falls and Old Dominion Street Railway
Company which company has OBTAINED the
permission of Congress 10 use inns pi,use
The money has been deposited with the Dis
trict Commissioners for this purpose and
the work is about to be commenced.
'"The bridge spanning the Anacostfa river
at the foot of 18th street southeast, con-
Meeting Washington with Anacostia, has
been in a dilapidated condition for many
years The District Commissioners recog-
nize the fact that it is not only dangerous
to life and limb as 1t is used now, but that
it is inadequate in size to give ease of ac-
cess to and from the city to the immense
amount of travel that passes over 1t, TINS
travel being impeded at the present time by
and Electric Company, which uses this
bridge free of charge. The Commissioners
of the District Of Columbia ask for an ap-
preparation of $250OOO for a new bridge at
this location, 100000 of it to be immedi-
ately available after the LIST of July, 1904.
1.-THE work Of completing the fill across
Massachusetts, avenue culvert at Rock
creek is nearly completed. Within this
fiscal year the roadway across this culvert
will be ready for use by the public. 1t is
great improvement, one that the city will
be more and more proud of year by year
as time passes. Work upon Connecticut
bridge foundat ton has been completed,
an appropriation has been made for the
commencement of the work and authority
given for entering into contract at cost
not exceeding 100000 for its completion
within four years Many small bridges
have been erected in different parts of the
District and special mention should be made
of those which have been established in
Rock Creek Park. Mention of these bridges
in the presence of any one who has had the
pleasure of seeing them always elicits re-
marks of commentator and praise. This
good work should continue. A reasonably
large appropriation should be made for
other bridges required In that and the Zoo
Park.
Charities and Corrections.
1.-THE large expense of caring for nom
resident insane persons at the government
hospital and charged to the District is
still a heavy burden to the District. This
board has urged action by our authorities