The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-28
IS OPENED TODAY.
TOpeka's Handsome Melan
Bridge Ready for Traffic.
Two Additional Spans Are Ac-
copied by City.
ARE PLEASED WITH TT.
Council and City Engineer In
spect Work.
Cost to the City Will Be
$4,000.
ARE PLEASED WITH TT.

The two new spans, built at the north
end of the Kansas avenue Me1an bridge
across the Kansas river were formally
accepted today, for the city, by City
Engineer McCabe and the new spans
were opened to traffic this afternoon
The Marsh Bridge company, which
was awarded the contract at $4,000,
July l. The Marsh company began work
March 1. A penalty of ten
dollars a day was provided each
day elapsing from July 1 until the
bridge was completed. Since July 1, 50
days have elapsed and under forfeiture
clause, the Marsh company owes the
city $500. Whether this shall be assess
ed or not was not decided today but will
come before the council, at the next reg
ular meeting, when the payment for the
work is to be made. But the Marsh
company has counter claim which will
include five weeks delay on account of
the excavation for the center pier of
the new work being INSTRUCTED by the
foundation of an old bridge pier. The
Marsh company will hold the city re-
sponslble for this delay as the city pro-
vided the contractors who bid on the
work with statement of what soil and
distractions would be found in making
the excavations and the old bridge foun
dalton was not listed. 1t is likely that
the contractors and the council will call
it even and there will be no trouble
When the main part of the Melan
bridge was built the contractors were
DISTRACTED by the foundation of an old
iron draw bridge pier where the center
pier of the Melan bridge was located.
The contractors collected $500 from the
county on account of the extra work of
exeaVating the old pier.
Mayor Davis, City Engineer McCabe,
Street Commissioner Ramsey and the
members of the streets and walks COM
mittee Councilmen Swendson, Holiday,
Sinner, Nipps and SimmS inspected the
bridge this morning.
City Engineer McCabe called attention
to the fact that the curling on the new
part of the bridge is very uneven and
much out of line and that the bottom
sides of the arches have not been
snoothed and dressed as specified in the
contract. He said, however, that the
smoothing of the arches was not of any
Importance and that as the curb could
not be Strengthened without tearing up
the work that he would waive objec-
tons.
1.-The two new spans are in good con-
dition, and with these minor details
eliminated the work has been well
done,'' said McCabe 1.-The contractors
must remove the debris and dirt they
piled up on the west side of the new
spans. 1 think the new spans should
be accepted
City Engineer McCabe also suggested
that the City Railway company should
be required to remove the piling left
Wnen the ola street car BFlQS6 was re-
moved from the west side of the Melan
bridge The piling, sticking out of the
water several inches, have collected a
large amount of drift and sand and at
present there is no water flowing
through the middle span of the bridge.
The street force, under the direction
of Street Commissioner Ramsey, will
remove the old stone pier and the dirt
under the new arches and will open
channel for the water to flow under the
new arches and cut away and wash
away the dirt.
Mr.. Thatcher, of the firm of Keepers
& Thatcher, who built the main part of
the Melan bridge, came to Topeka to-
day to see the work of the Marsh COM
pany. Mr.. Thatcher drew the plans and
specifications for the new work. He said
this morning that the work had been
well done and that, excepting for some
rough places, the new spans looked good.
The streets and walks committee de-
cided that some of the telephone poles,
which obstruct the north approach,
should be moved and that the channel
of the river should be cleared as much
as possible.