New-York tribune., 1905-11-07
TIDE MOVES BRIDGE SPAN.
Portion of Old Harlem Structure
Replaced by New.

With the assistance of the mighty power of
rising tide, the north approach span of the
double decked bridge across the Harlem
Ship Canal moved into place yesterday
afternoon and the old span taken out entire.
It was one of the most delicate engineering feats
ever attempted in New York and the carefully
laid plans of the engineers went through with
out hitch, A crowd of The Bronx people gath
cred on the banks of the canal and cheered as
the bridges were moved
When it decided to extend the rapid
transit subway TO Van Cortlandt Park the ship
canal bridge was one of the problems An al
teration first spoken Of but the engineers de-
cided that the old structure would not stand the
strain of the heavy subway trains The new
double decked bridge, which the subway will
run on an elevated structure above the road
way. designed
The old bridge is to be removed in three sec
tons to 201th-st, where foundations for new
bridge have already been laid
The new cutoff of the New-Yori Central
which will do away with the dangerous era DO
crossings at Kingsbridge, runs under the new
subway bridge and the new approach spar is
twelve feet longer than the old AS the cut
OF construction was under way It was neces-
sary TO construct the new span 100 yards east
Of the bridge, whence IT was moved TO the river
when completed.
The shore ends of both the old and new
bridges were blocked up on railroad trucks
which stood on securely planted track The
other ends rested on blocking built ID from, +be
decks Of two heavy barges 100 by 80 feet Tho
fnotiVe power was double cylinder hoistine en-,
slhe painted on the ground fifty yards above the
prldge' ana operating wire cables so arranged
that there was an equal pull on both the old and
new spans.
Al l;5o o'clock yesterday afternoon traffic
was stopped and the approach cut away ks
the uoe rose the end Of the old span was slowly
but surely lifted from the granite pier on which
1t had rested since the bridge was h1ilt II, 1901
AS soon as 1t was raised clear the signal was
given to the engine the bridges began to creep
along the creased track and the barses TO move
up stream. The operation was rendered more
difficult because of d curve in the shore bulk
head at this point 1t took about fifteen minutes
TO move the span. When the span was
exactly in place valve in the bottom of the
barge was opened. and as the craft filed with
water the new span fell until it rested on the
masonry.
The draw span will not be changed for some
time, as the material for the drum. which
the span will rest, has been delayed in its
manufacture When all the material arrives il
will be erected. ready to operate upon false
work at 215th-st and will be towed on, four
scows to its position the pivot pier. The
removal of the old draw and the replacing Of the
viii probably obstruct traffic for forty eight
hours. 1t will not be attempted until next
spring.
The engineers in charge of the work for the
Rapid Transit Commission are C. V. Y. Powers
and H. j. Howe. Terry and Trench are the con
tractors. slot conduit has been built on the
floor of the new bridge. and the sub trolleys OF
the Metropolitans Broadway cars VIII pass
over it.
The three spans Of the old bridge viii form
part of the bridge, which will connect the
Dyckman district with Fordham Heights ana
University Heights. 1t will bring that raploiy
growing portion of The Bronx into close COM
munication with lower Broadway, as a station
of the Subway Elevated" Will be buHt at
207th-st and Amsterdam-ave-
The Republican voting strength in this city al
nh 70 ete