Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-18
ROCK CREEK BRIDGE
PLANS FOR STRUCTURE AT CON
NECTICUT AVENUE.
Cost to Complete Estimated to Be
$e9e, ,OOO-The Foundations
Already Built.

The plans for the new Connecticut avenue
bridge across Rock creek have been prac-
tically approved by the District authorities
and the technical specifications for the
structure have been prepared by the engi-
neer department. The Commissioners eaIly
next week will advertise for sealed bids for
the completion of the bridge at a cost Of
$6s9,OOO the proposals to be received up
til! noon of January 30, 1904.
The foundations of all the piers have
been constructed and everyt thing is in readi-
ness for proceeding with the construction
OF the bridge proper. Already about 10000
has been expended on the project and $780,
coo Is now available for continuing the
work. In the current appropriat ton act the
Commissioners were authorized to contract
Tor the completion of the bridge at coSt
of $6tDOO0, exclusive of previous appro-
priations. The finished structure will cost
about SS00,0 and three years will be re-
quired to com plete- the work.
The Connecticut avenue bridge will be
built across Rock creek just outside the
Geological Park. on the line of splendid
driveway. 1t will be constructed of con-
crete, faced partly with trimming stones
of granite. The bridge will be rather
ornate in design and will have five full
ceptered arches $50 feet in diameter and
two full centered arches 81 feet in di
ameter. The structure will be 1900 feet
long and 130 feet above the creek at the
highest point. The floor of the structure
will be on level with the present Chevy
Chase bridge. The bridge will afford a
wide driveway and footpaths. On either
side of each approach will be placed
large bronze lion, and the lamp posts
along the parapet will be of bronze.
Morrison Design Accepted.
The District Commissioners asked for
designs for a bridge across Rock creek
on the line of Connecticut avenue several
years ago, and as result of a competi-
ton the design OF the late Mr.. George S.
Morrison was accepted. Congress later
appropriated $4,000 to be used in build
ing the foundations for the structure and
later appropriations were made for the
work. MIR. Morrison, who was appointed
consulting engineer on the work, died
last summer, and subsequently Mr.. Ed
ward Pearce Casey was engaged as con-
sulting architect. The specifications and
working plans were prepared by Mr.. w.
j. Douglass, engineer of bridges, subject
to the approval of the Engineer Commits
Sioner. The work has been under the
immediate supervision of Capt. New
conner, assistant to the Engineer Com
missioner. 1t is considered that the Con-
nectfcut avenue bridge when completed
will be one of the handsomest structures
OF the kind in this part of the country
and one in which the District will take
pride.
number of other bridges in the District
construction. The Massachusetts avenue
bridge Is practically finished, and it will
likely be turned over to the authorities in
about six months. This bridge was erect
ed at cost Of $235, 600.
Over the Eastern Branch.
It IS also proposed to build a bridge over
the Eastern branch, to be known as the
Anacostia bridge No appropriation has
been made for this improvement and no
work done on the project. The estimated
cost Of this bridge is said to be about
1000, and two years will be required to
complete the work. Another bridge pro-
posed to be erected will be across Piney
branch on the line of 18th street This i'm
provement, it is estimated, will cost about
$4,000.
In addition to these structures the War
Department Is now building bridge across
the Potomac to replace the old Long bridge
This structure is known as the Highway
bridge, and will cost about $996OOO, of
which amount the District will pay $49S 600.