New-York tribune., 1909-09-19
SAYS BRIDGE is SAFE
N4NHATT4N span O. KIP
Consulting Engineer Finds Struct-
are Is Right an Al I'm portaut Parts

Ralph Modjeski, the consulting engineer called in
n, the Board Of Estimate and Apportionment 10
mass on the plans and safety of the Manhattan
5sridge after the City Club represented that the
,t5ge Was faulty important particulars x-ester
s reported 10 Bridge Commissioner Stevenson
"a the Board Of Estimate giving the bridge nrac-
.,osIlv clean bill. and saying that it viii sustain
.bs heaviest trafic that may be placed upon II in
~. near future
~ Modjeskfs report indicates that the Nanhat-
..n anchorage Of the bridge has been under suspi-
i,n by the engineers, and says that il could have
.ssn improved but since IL has not developed anv
s,nrecsble movement in the last sixty DAYS. he
considers the foundation safe and sufficient Criti-
al engineers yesterday wondered if the anchorage
ssveloped any appreciabe movement prior 10 the
last sixty days. and why.
C,oincident with Mr.. Modjeslis report is the an
o,r,nernent of Commissioner Stevenson, the first
.zrisl one that the structure will be thrown open
a traffic before the end Of the year. The Manhat-
80, Bridge is the first Of the city bridges he be
en- and completed in administration. The con-
trpction was undertaken at tho beginning of Nc
,Tellan's second term. The contract price of Ryan
3 Parker who built the bridge. S,2S
No contracts have been let for work required on
,he Brooklyn and Manhattan Plazas, because the
Fridge Department does not know what railroad
ounsnies are 10 operate the bridge. But plans
have Been completed to finish both plazas as soon
a. the Board of Estimate grants the franchises 10
the railroad companies.
part of Mr. .Modjeskis report follows
The foundations Of the main towers are good and
s,,ricent and appear ty have been constructed IN
: drst class manner and IN accordance win lh"
snqcincaflons. The foundation ~ the krooklNn an
Sherage Is good and sufficient. and appears 10 hate
been constructed in a fTSt class manner anu ia
accordance with the specifications.
The foundation Of the Manhattan anchoraE"
could have improved hv driving inclined piles
in tile foundation hut since careful observations q"
its behavior did not develop any appreciaole moys-
rnent during the last sixty DAYS. consider TINS
Foundation As safe and sufficient The masonry or
he towers and snchorages has been constructed IN
g first class manner ana in all appearances IN
accordance with the plans and specifications.
The pressures and internal stresses In the ma
sonrv are within the limits of good practice The
Inspection in the mills, foundries and shops has
heen thoroughly and conscentiouslY performed, the
material complies in all respects with the require
nents Of the specifications and is OF excellent quail
NV throughout. The shop work Is hrst class In
every respect
The towers have been constructed and the cables
-ritf their anchorages installed in workmanlike
and accurate manner and In strict accordance Win
she specifications.
The structure as a whole has been carefully de-
Eirned and when completed will be amply strong
10 carry the heaviest traffic which may be placed
.rnon II in the near future. We'll as any reason
sbe additional increase in the weight Of properly
regulated traffic II may be called upon 10 carry
FOR many years TO come.