The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-18
ANACOSTIA BRIDGE
MENACE TO PUBLIC
Reported Dangerous Every
Year Since 1887.
PETITIONS TO CONGRESS
Commissioners Want Appropriation Of
100000 to Begin Rebuilding
Of the Structure

The Anacostia Bridge is VIGOROUSLY
unsafe It has been reported as being
In dangerous condition every year since
1887 by the Engineer OF Bridges.
The District Commissioners have re-
peatedly asked Congress for an appro-
rriation to put the bridge in a better
condition. Every day the lives Of the
thousands OF people who are carried
across the bridge in electric cars or other
vehicles are endangered. What is Con-
gress going TO do about il?
Now Before Committee.
1t is understood that the matter of
making an appropriation for the recon-
struction of the bridge Is now before
the House Subcommittee on Appropria-
tons. and that this body is considering
the advisability of making the Anacos-
tia and Potomac River Railway Com
pany bear a part of the expense of
keeping the structure in repair as the
ccmpany's tracks pass over it,
The Capital Traction Company and
the Metropolitan Railway Company pay
their fair share of the expenses incurred
by keeping the bridges across Rock
Creek, at NJ and p Streets. respectively.
In good condition, as their tracks go
over these bridges
w. J. Douglass. Engineer of Bridges.
in his report TO the Commissioners for
the year ended June 30. 1905 has this to
say of the AnacOstia Bridge TT has
been structurally weak for fifteen years,
and since the employment of the heavy
motor cars OF the Anacostia and Po-
tomac River Railway Company. it is
particularly so. The bridge is stressed
throughout 100 per cent in excess of
good practice, and the hanger posts in
many cases are stressed within few
per cent of their ultimate strength
Going to Pieces.
In the same report Mr. Douglass says:
THAT this bridge is going to pieces
under its excessive live load is further
demonstrated by the fact that within
the last year there have been two
counter rods and one shoe broken"
A cursory examination Of the struc-
ture VIII show the observer that the
masonry supporting the bridge is in a
dilapidated condition. much of the NOR
tar between the blocks of stone having
been washed away by the action Of the
water A minor trouble is that the
railing work inclosing the footwalks on
either side of the bridge is broken in
many places,
In his report for the year ended June
So 1902. the Engineer Of Bridges said:
The electric cars which now cross
the bridge weigh. when empty. between
seven and ten tons. and when loaded
with people this load reaches a maxi
mum Of seventeen tons. in addition. the
draw is archaic. the bridge unsightly,
much too narrow Nhe entire width OF
roadway being taken up with car
track. and total inadequate to meet the
demands of public travel
Constructed in 1875.
THE present bridge was constructed
IN 1875. Its condition is VIGOROUSLY bad
and worthy Of serious consideration"
In this same report Mr.. Douglass sub
mits a set OF figures showing the num-
Der Of vehicles that passed over this
and two other bridges between April ]
and May 81. 1902. as follows: Anacostia
Bridge vehicles, not including $50 cleo
trio cars). 1900; Aqueduct Bridge we
hicles no cars. LOO; Pennsylvania Ave
nue. Bridge (vehicles. no cars). 200.
From this set Of figures. which IS
authoritative. il will be seen that the
bridge with the most traffic over it is
the most dangerous and unstable.
The District Commissioners now want
from Congress an appropriation Of
10000 with which TO begin the recon
struction OF this .iaenacN to the public
SAFETY. The authorities are certain that
in order to avoid accidents and q prob
able loss Of life from the rickety shape
Of the bridge at present. something
must be done. and that right speedily.