The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-29
Big Bridge Over Missouri River
Planned for Three Roads.
viii be Used by Rock Island,
Maple Leaf and Trolley Line.
NEW TERMINALS ALSO.
Advantages Presented by the En-
terprise Are Great.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.
NEW TERMINALS ALSO.

Kansas City, No. Dec. 29.-Probable
construction of a. bridge across the Mis-
souri, river at a point between Kansas
City, Kan, ana Quindaro, for the joint
use of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa
cific and the Chicago Great Western
railroads as well as the new Kansas
City-St Joseph trolley line was an
nounced yesterday by J. K. Cubbison,
attorney for the promoters of the enter
prise.
1t is said that the bridge and an ex-
tensive terminal system will be built by
the Kansas City Bridge and Terminal
company, a corporation soon to be or
gained.
While it has been decided that the To-
cation of the bridge will be at some point
between the Quindaro Waterworks and
the north city limits of Kansas City,
Kan, the exact location will not be de-
cided until the plans and specifications
are prepared and submitted to the war
department at Washington for approval.
According to those who are behind the
movement to build the bridge, it has first
been their object to obtain contracts
with railroads so as 70 insure the success
of the enterprise.
Negotiations have been under way
for some time with tbs Rock Island and
Chicago Great Western railroads and the
upon is the basis of rates for the use
of the bridge. In other words, it has not
been decided whether those railroads
shall pay on the basis of the tonnage,
the number of cars passing over the
bridge or on the basis of so much in
lump sum each year for the use of the
bridge.
E w. Snyder of Leavenworth and
John Kelley of the Kelley Milling COM
pany have purchased two tracts of land
nd
it is understood they h@ye options on
other tracts in the neighborhood of
where the new bridge is to be built.
There are about 5000 acres Of land suit
able for railroad and manufacturing
purposes in the north Missouri river bot
toms on the Kansas side just north of
Kansas City, Kan. It is some of this
land that the promoters of the new
bridge are purchasing.
When the plan to build the new bridge
was first launched it was proposed to
make it a free wagon bridge in the event
Kansas City, Kan, would issue bonds
in payment for that privilege. This plan
has been abandoned ard it has been de-
termined that it viii be a toll bridge.
It is also proposed to construct
new belt line running from the west
Kaw river bottoms above Armourdale
to connect with the north Missouri riV-
er bottoms and across the Missouri nv
er over the new bridge into Harlem.
practically all the large railroads en-
tering Kansas City and develop lands
most suitable for manufacturing and
railroading purposes. Those who are
behind the movement to build the new
bridge say that the advantages presented
are SO great that there is no possibility
of making failure of the enterprise.
E w. Snyder, president of the Leav-
enworth Terminal Bridge company,
whose name has been associated with
the proposed new Missouri river bridge,
said that he had been asked to take
hold of the project, but up to the pres
ent time he had no interest in it.
The Rock Island and Great Western
railroads enter Kansas City over leased
lines. Both companies are now seeking
entrance over their own lines. The
probable use of the new bridge by the
Rock Island is understood to mean that
the company will carry out its plan of
building from Cameron to Kansas City,
and possibly to abandon the use of the
Burlington tracks and the Hannibal
bridge.
It is also understood to be the pur-
pose of the Great Western to build
new line down the Missouri river. on
the Missouri side, from LeavenwOrth to
Kansas City, and to abandon the use
of the Kansas City Northwestern line
from Leavepworth to Kansas City.