Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-03
THE Q STREET BRIDGE
BELIEVED NO ACTION WILL BE
TAKEN BY CONGRESS.

No action will be taken at the present
session Of Congress so it is believed at the
District building, relative to providing a
bridge at Q street to connect GEORGETOWN
with Washington. The new proposition to
remove the old John W. Thompson bridge
across Rock creek near the recently COM
peted Massachusetts avenue bridge to U
street seems to be received favorably by
d the Commissioners. and they will probably
in the end recommend that an approprla-
ton for removing this bridge and placing
1t In proper condition be made Ii Is not
believed. however. that there is sufficient
time left before the close OIL the present
session TO have the proposition acted upon
at this session. and therefore action will be
deferred until next year.
The District Commissioners held board
meeting late yesterday afternoon. when the
proposition to utilize the old John W.
Thompson bridge for connecting George
town and Washington at @ street was dis
cusscd at length. A the close of the ses-
sion Colonel Biddle directed Engineer of
Bridges w. j. Douglas to obtain informa-
ton relative to several points in connec-
tion with the project to remove the Thomp-
son bridge to q street
one of the questions to be determined is
as to whether or not the district has good
and sufficient title to the Thompson bridge.
which spans Rock creek about 6d0 feet
above the new Massachusetts avenue
late John w. Thompson in 1885 in order
TO have access to his property He kept
the bridge in repair for several years, but
finally he offered to donate it to the Dis
trict. The Treasury Department entered
objections at first, on the ground that the
bridge was on private property. Mr..
Thompson did not want to give away his
land TO get rid of the D..dge. which was
used by the public, but finally a compro-
mise was reached whereby the bridge was
transferred to the District with the right
10 use Thompson's private property for ap-
proaChes.
The deed transferring the bridge to the
District was recorded July 26, 1897.
Dimensions of the Structure.
The bridge is 317 feet long, consisting of
three spans of ninety-four feet; one shorter
span of forty-five feet, and three tower
spans of forty-five feet, and is known as
pony Pratt truss bridge. 1t has a road
way seventeen feet wide and two side
walks, each eight feet. The bridge floor
Is thirty-eight feet above the ground and
is the lghtest steel bridge in the District
The loads crossing are limited to six tons
Mr.. Douglas states that it is in fair condi-
ton.
Mr.. Douglas believes that It will be prac-
ticable to remove the bridge to Q street
He says a grade will have to be established
through the land which the citizens OF
Georgetown have offered to donate for the
extension of Q street to the banks of the
creek II bridge Is erected. 1t is possible
that pedestals will have to be erected for
the bridge to rest on, and upon the height
OF these Will largely depend the cost of the
preparation. 1t is believed the bridge is
ABOUT the right length, but if too Short
abutments would have to be constructed at
some cost and, at any rate, retaining walls
Will cost a figure not now estimated
Inc commissioners state that they are
IN favor OF removing the Thompson bridge
II 1t can be done advantageously. They
thlnk mat temporary structure should be
provided connecting the northern part of
georgetown with the northern part of
washington proper. The Commissioners
however prefer the culvert and tunnel prop
osltlon and they do not desire to recon-
mend Anything that will interfere with that
project. 1t is probable that at the next
session OF congress the Commissioners will
urge an appropriation of $3.50 900 for the
purpose OF constructing the north section
Oh the proposed tunnel and culvert so that
q permanent connection will be afforded for
me northern part of Georgetown and Wash
ington.