Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-22
SOME BRIDGE SUGGESTIONS
PLACES WHERE THE SCENERY
COULD BE IMPROVED.
Would Add Greatly to Convenience of
Observation-Disclosures Decorations
Give Fine Effect.

''Of the many distinctive elements OF a
city encompassed or interested by water
ways its bridges form an important fea-
ture." said local civil engineer. and 1
am reminded of place within our en-
virons where a small and comparatively
inexpensive but useful bridge might be
erected to advantage
II refer to the let-in for the receiving
basin on the east bank OF the Potomac
The basin is nearly circular, and the two
points OF land OF the park which project
north and south, separated by the narrow
channel referred to. have now been
graded. sodded and laid out into drive
ways each OF which circles at the apex or
the two points in question
AS the receiving basin is not intended
for shipping. but is used as a receiving
reservoir for the purpose OF flushing the
channel IN the harbor on the water front.
bridse OF artistic design, twenty feet IN
the clear above high tide. could be erected
TO span the channel 10 connect the two
promontories referred to.
Landscape Ornament.
AS landscape ornament such a bridge
would be extremely effective. while Il
would serve very useful purpose in per-
hitting the fine new macadamized drive
way along the river bank on this side TO be
continued over the channel, making a con-
tinuous driveway directly on the waterside
for nearly two miles. At present vehicles
and autos must circle the points in ques-
ton. return and go around the west bank
OF the basin before proceeding either north
or south. AS the bridge would also b,
available for pedestrians, the delightful
features of a continuous and for the most
part. shaded walk would also be open to
them. The bridge would be OF suficient
height above the water TO admit OF the en-
trance into the basin OF launches and
small steam craft and the objection on tn,
ground OF Interfering with navigation and
to sailing vessels with masts could not OBJ
tain in this instance. Were such a bridge
erected it would give to the receiving basin
the appearance OF a beautiful land-locked
harbor. or small lake, and as the lawns
are now graded to the waters edge for its
entire circumference the resultant i'm
provement is clearly apparent
Electrical Water Illumination.
There is another interesting feature
about the bridges OF the capital Incoming
passengers. residents and strangers alike.
on one Of the main lines Of railroad enter
Ing the city note at night the artistic eff
feet OF the bright diadem of electric lights
on the Washington bridge which Is high
above the water at the western end OF
pennsylvania avenue. When these spark
ling electric scintilatlons greet the eye as
the train dashes through Deanwood. the
train porter calls out Washington lie
resident grabs his bag and says Home al
last, while the stranger exclaims What a
hne effectr
This electrical river illumination IA de,-
tined to be greatly augmented very shortly
by the double row of large electric lights
which will be placed on the new Anacostis
bridge This bridge Is very much higher
larger and more massive than Is generally,
understood. and will form the greatest con-
trast to the old wooden structure, which is
scarcely above the river surface at hight
49, a. ILL u
very elaborate and It's cement piers and ap-j
proaches, now we'll under way, are excellent
illustrative examples OF the height and
masstveness Of the contemplated completed !
structure 1t is bound to attract compli-t
mentary notice from incoming passengers
by day and its nights will twinkle a welcome
by night. while 1t will completely changei
the appearance Of the Eastern branch at
the point it spans. as well as serve It's GEM
eral useful purpose.
Rock Greek Improvement. H.
There is still another interesting feature
about the bridges Of the capital, though at
present only prospective. The Improvement
Of Rock creek south of street northwest
to the river front must shortly be taken up !
and permanently determined upon, The
banks on either side Of this waterway hayaj
now been filled in except at a point near tho
1T is improbable that the suggestions
made in some quarters that this running
stream be converted between the points
named into covered sluiceway will Be Ac-i
oepted with general favor. On the DON,
trary the high sloping banks and water
edge should be sodded and planted In,
shrubbery. and the present dreary aspect Of
the stream changed into that presented by,
susceptible Of still further Improvement
upon development. New bridges will be-,
placed at N and o streets. and when the
pared they should be OF picturesque effect,
and as far as possible removed from those
OF the p and M street structures.
Other Bridges Needed.
at is to be regretted that the large sums
of money which have been spent upon tho
almost continuous repair for so many years
OF the Aqueduct bridge at Georgetown could
not have been sufficiently augmented for an
entirely new and modern structure at this
important point of river crossing. This
bridge was constructed too lightly in the
first instance. with the result that II has
been In chronic state of patching and
Snoring up ever since. but like the old Long
bridge 1t has been made to do though IL
cannot be doubted that in time the spirit
or Improvement now existent in the capital
will see to it that a modern and suitably
massive structure. after the pattern OF the
new highway bridge supplanting the old
Long bridge. will take its place. .-
There Is one small but exceedingly artfs-
tic structure within our limits which should
not be omitted from this brief review of
our bridge features. and that is the single
arched cement bridge in the south end of
the Zoo Park which supports the main
driveway at this point. This bridge. to
my mind. is a perfect example of a small,
park-arched span. and, with the fine water
effect on both sides. especially on the south,
makes one of the most effective photographs
which may be taken hereabouts. A grav-
eled pathway might easily be made along
the north bank OF Rock Creek. which IL
spans. from which the full effect of the fine,
graceful archway would be the more clearly
observable. while such a pathway would
make a SPLENDID place for a stroll In the
summer as the trees are abundant"