The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-29
STREET CARS RUNNING
ACROSS RIVER BRIDGE
Tracks Over the West Washing
ton-Street Structure Are
Now in Use.
INSPECTION OF BRIDGES

With street cars running across the new
West Washington-street bridge a little
after ? O'Clock yesterday afternoon the
street car situation IN Indianapolis was i'm
mensely bettered. although still lacking
great deal OF what both the public and the
street car company desire Cars on the
West Washlngton-street line now run on
schedule time, with an unlmDaired service
except for the waits that are occasiOned
at the bridge by reason OF the fact that but
q single line crosses il. Cars on all city
Hines on the east side Of the river that need
ed repairs have been taken across the
bridge to the repair shops on West Wash
ington street and men are at work night
and day TO get them again in condition TO
go into service. As long as the bridge could
not be crossed these cars had to go with
out repairs and remain in disuse.
The indianapolis and Northwestern Trac-
ton Company stated last evening that it
expected 10 have the repairs that It is
making 20 the Northwestern-avenue bridge
across Fall creek completed by this after
noon, so that street car and interurban traf-
flc across that bridge can be resumed then.
The Northwestern has accepted freight for
trans ortatiOn on its line, showing Its Ia1th
IN the Immediate completion Of the bridge
repairs. Lines across the river, with the
execution of the West VVashinetOr-street
hope OF an immediate resumption of traf-
fc over the three bridges that Will remain
In disuse.
A corps of men from the city engineers
department inspected these bridges and the
Emerichsvflle bridge yesterday and report
ed on their condition to Engineer Jeup. The
latter will also visit the bridges some time
to-day or tomorrow 10 verify the report.
Mr. JeuD stated last evening that his men
had reported the condition Of affairs 10 be
much the same as has been related from
time 20 time. except ar the West Michigan
street bridge Here the west pier found
10 be in much more serious condition than
was supposed, as it has big crack extend
ing through It. The bridge floor may be
propped on either side OF this pier that
street cars can again run over IL, but ex-
actly what can be done remains to be de-
termined by Mr.. Jeup'S own inspection. Re
pairs to the River-avenue and Morris-street
bridges probably will be a matter Of but
few days.
The river is now very low, only one foot
eight inches above low water mark, but is
frozen sOlidly over with ice that is report
ed to be from four To six inches thick. With
the further continuance Of cold weather
this ice. as q matter or course. viii grow
thicker. threatening a repetition Of the de-
strucive ice jams Of last week IL a thaw
should come suddenly, accompanied by
rain.
The matter Of temporary roadway over
the new WashingtOn-street bridge, to ac-
commodate vehicles. win be taken uD for
final settlement at this mornings meeting
OF the Board of Works The board rep
Tesentatives of the BrOwn-ketcham iron
works and of the County Commissioners,
and the street commissioner viii consult as
10 the most practicable way OF laying the
roadway, and the material to be used. All
the parties concerned, including the Brown
Ketcham Company, contractors for the iron
work on the bridge, have signified a willing
ness to have the temporary roadway con-
structed by the city. so that an agreement
IS confidently expected, TO be followed by
the commencement Of work, probably by
tomorrow.