The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-06
FOUND OLD PILES.
WOrkmen on New MeIan Bridge
Having Trouble.
Remnants of an Old Golfer Dam
Are Responsible.
HOW WORK rs DONE.
CaissOns Are the First to Be Con-
structed.
Fifty Hen VIII Be Put to Work
Soon.
HOW WORK is DONE.

Work on the two new additional
spans Of the MeIan arch bridge has
hardly reached the interesting stage.
No big crowds of loiterers decorate the
railing of the bridge and watch the ef-
forts of the workmen below. The
spectacular part of the work is lack
ing.
What is being done is the sinking
Of sheet piling for the caissons on the
site of the north foundation pier. Two
caissons viii have to be constructed,
one for each pier. A caisson to the
ordinary layman looks simply like a
very close fitting stockade, the sheet
piling being driven close together to
prevent the seepage of water from the
exterior into the interior. The caisson
Is constructed in an ample fashion 50
as to provide for a suitable working
space on the interior for the men IN
the sinking of the piIing for the foun-
dalton and the preliminary work upon
the foundation. owing to the fact
that the ground on which the piers
are being constructed is above low
water the caissons are OF the simplest
construction and not of the pneumatic
type where a high air pressure is con-
stantly maintained on the interior to
keep the water from forcing its way
in.
Considerable difficulty is being ex-
perienced in sinking the sheet piling
for the north caisson on account OF
the presence of old piling which be-
longed to a cofferdam constructed
many years ago when the old Kansas
avenue bridge was built. Some OF this
pihng is SO inch stuff and is pied
lengthWise. In eXcayating the interior
Of the caisson this old material was
encountered and seriously hampered
quick progress. The caisson will have
to be sunk six inches below low water
level according to the specifications;
there still remains some five feet OF
driving before this portion of the
specification can be compiled with
The engine which is run to pump out
the Water. seeping or collecting on the
interior Of the catssOn broke down
Few days ago and this has still further
added to the delay The engine is now
being repaired and as soon as it can be
started pumping and the sheet piling
driven below the quicksand level the
driving Of the piling for the foundation
will commence. This viii take about
ten days yet. 1t is the intention Of the
foreman in charge, ". H. Hey, to COM
Dlete the north CaissOn before starting
in upon the remaining caisson. The pill
ing driven to furnish suitable base
upon which to start the foundatiOniWilI
be sent down 20 feet into the bed of
the river. They will be driven on an
average of 8 feet apart over dimensions
of 40 feet by H. the exact neat size OF
the pier.
The ends Of the piling will be cut off
even and planking nailed across. This
will give a firm support for the COM
mencement of the foundation.
Most of the machinery for the con-
crete work has arrived. This consists
of a mixer having a capacity of 200
cubic yards daily of cement, two steel
cars for handling the material and three
engines. up right. At present from Is
to 20 men are employed; as the work
advances this number viii be gradually
increased until it reaches a maximum
four or five men the labor is all Of local
hire. Nearly 5000 tons OF cement will
be used in construction of the two addi-
tiona1 spans of IS feet each. The speci-
dCations call for 500 cubic yards of
cement. A cubic yard averages about
$500 pounds Portland cement, SunflOw-
er brand. viii be used
The concrete construction shows its
resistant qualities to strain in a fine
shape at the north end of the Melan
arch bridge where some of the concrete
wall is being cut through preparatory
TO Joining on when the additional spans
are constructed. Though the particular
wall in question is very nearly cut
through and Is hanging suspended sub
ject to terrific strain it shows no
signs of weakening and giving way
The two spans are being erected by
the Marsh Bridge company of Des
Moines, Iowa. though the work viii be
done under the direction of the city en-
gineer. AS the work progresses along
further the city engineer viii appoint an
inspector who will give his sole atten-
tioE to the bridge. The contract
amounts to $4,000.