Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-15
MAKE ADVERSE REPORT
BILL FOR BRIDGE OVER ANACOS-
TIA RIVER DIsAPPRoVED.

Notwithstanding the urgent claim that a
new bridge across the Eastern branch be-
low the Washington navy yard would afford
considerable accommodation to residents OF
that section of the District lying south of
the Government Hospital for the Insane,
as well as to the adjacent section of Mary
land, and to the District government itself
in reaching the new almshouse and Indus
trial Home School, near Shepherds Land
ing, the Commissioners do not believe It's
erection at the present time would be war
ranted, and they have prepared a report to
this effect to submit to Congress tomorrow.
Two bills, each providing for the construc-
ton of bridge near the same point, were
referred to the Commissioners by Chair
man Babeock of the House District com
nlittee, but both shared the same fate.
The original proposition for the construc-
ton OF bridge across the Anacostia river.
from Half street south to the further Ter
minus above Giesboro Point was made as
long ago as 1896, at which time the War
Department, in obedience to an act of Con-
gress, made a survey and estimated that
bridge could be built for about S7E9.J30 The
War Department at that time, however
recommended that the project be aban-
doned, and in this the then Board ODDS
trict Commissioners concurred.
Citizens Interested
When agitation in favor of a bridge at
this point was renewed this year a large
delegation of citizens from the southeastern
end of the District appeared before the
Commissioners at a public hearing, and on
that occasion a new project was launched
that a bridge 400 feet In length should be
constructed with its eastern approach rest
ing on the new-made land formed by recent
dredging operations. Such a structure, 1t
was estimated, would cost only $500, 200.
and one of the bills on which the Commits
sioners report recommends unfavorable
action provides for just such a bridge. In
formally passing upon this project the En-
gineer Commissioner prepared statement
to the effect that short bridge would be
inadvisable because 1t would involve a
change in the bulkhead lines, bringing them
out great distance, and probably causing
deposits of silt in the existing narrow chan
mel
If any bridge is to be built the Commits
sioners go on record as being In favor of a
longer span, with the city end at about
Half street and the south end some distance
from the new made land, such construc-
ton being possible without In any way mar
rowing the river.
Also Adversely Reported.
The Commissioners, however. also report
adversely upon the bill. which contemplates
q bridge some ! 200 feet long at this point
They estimate that a span across the Ana
costa river. similar In many ways to that
proposed ten years ago, would cost about
5000, COO the increase of S12l.0oo over the
original estimate of the War Department
being explained on the ground that bridge
building material has increased In cost. ana
that a design which would meet with APP
prevail at this time would be Of simpler yet
more expensive character. The Commits
sioners recommend. IL Congress- desires that
q bridge be built at this time, that an APP
preparation Of 1900 be made this year 80
that q survey and other preliminary work
can be carried forward.