The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-09
Engineers Show Importance {
Building a New Structure
at Once.
TWO CITIES SLOW TO ACT
Public Not Satisfied With Con
ditions-Traffic Badly
DELAYED.

Responding to a request from the
James River Free Bridge Commits
sioners, the Common Council on Mon
providing for the appointment OF a
special committee OF three Councilmen
and two Aldermen, with the presidents
of the two branches to confer with a
Il similar committee from the city Of
Manchester with regard to the advisa-
bility of repairing or renewing the
Free Bridge. The Board of Alder
Z men will act on the resolution next
Tuesday night.
Recent conditions are bringing about
state of uncertainty In the travel be-
tween the two cities, and doubt of the
safety OF both of the wagon bridges
is greatly retarding trade conditions.
and producing much discomfort on
both sides of the river.
Steps looking to the erection of a
new and commodious highway between
the north and south banks of the
James would be hailed with general
reclamation.
Reports Not RcassurInE.
Especially in regard to the free
bridge is there unrest and gem
eral distrust of its carrying qualities,
the reports of engineers appointed
(
not at all reassuring. The stringent
regulations in regard to travel in
an effort to keep weight from con-
centrating on any separate span,
has not only added to the dis
trust of the bridge. but at the same
time has caused many delays and
blockades of travel, which still further
Z exasperate merchants and others hav-
ing business between the two cities.
When the continued swaying and VI
sbration of the separate panels caused
general complaint, the James River
Bridge Commission directed its consult
ing engineer. Mr.. f. B. Isaacs. to make
an examination. and at his suggestion
Messrs. Calvin Whitley and f. w.
Scarborough were associated in the
examination. The report filed by Mr..
Scarborough shows that comHunlca-
ton between the two cities is pre-
scarious. and bears out letter from
Mr. j. Preston Carson printed in this
paper before the engineers inVesti-
cation.
Mr.. Scarborough holds that no pre-
caution is possible to absolutely insure
the older spans against the danger OF
7 a sudden collapse under certain con-
&tingencies.
Bridge Positively Unsafe.
The engineers agree IN recommend
ing the Immediate rebuilding of the
eight oldest spans, the estimate OF cost
being $4,000. Mr.. Scarborough said
In his report:
81 attach skeleton diagram. and
& stress sheet for the eight spans built
In 1870. These stresses are calculated
5 for live lOnd of eighty pounds per
foot over the entire roadway and side
walks. Such II loading might mt any
time conc on the bridge In case of fire
In the vicinity, nn ice gorge, or In any
event TINT would attract n large crowd.
Under this loading, which, my I snid
above, may ut nny time he placed upon
the bridge, the bridge Is positively un-
rnfc. and steps should be taken ut
once TO remove the structure. During
the time required to perfect plnns,
fsbricate and erect the material, men
rhou1d be stationed mt cnch end of the
bridge to spnce traffic aud regulate
speed. II this liz done intelliscntly,
the traffic can be handled with CELEBRITY
and safety for the limited time ncccs-
rnry to arrange for nnd erect the new
ntructurc.
For the FIVE spans built in 1883 Mr..
4 scarnofoush recommends stiff bracinr
between the end posts and bracinp
between the web posts, with smooth
y nooring 70 minimize the vibration com.
planned of.
Eight Spans Should Go.
Mr., Isaacs. in his report made sub
Il seauently to that of Mr.. Scarborourh.
substantially agrees with the o,Ser
engineers in regard to the condition ~
the structure, recommending that tha
eight old spans be Immediately ro-
\ placed by new bridge, and that the
remainder be at once substantjallv.
4, braced and strengthened.
Ss8s MI. Scarhorough's recommendations
have been carried out By the commits.
sion with regard TO policing the bridge
and restricting travel making IT a
II slow progress from side to side win
q heavy load as no two loads or two
street-cars are allowed on a single
span. The congestion Of travel and
the general unwillingness to use Mayo,s
Y bridge, condemned by the engineers OF
the street-c company. have led to a
general demand fer n complete new
L bridge Of adequate width TO accommo-
date the travel. and OF such unaucs.
j tioned strength as will increase rather
than retard the traffic.
DR.. SMITH TO LECTURE