El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-02-14
J. CAMPBELL PLANS BRIDGE To JUAREz
AND ESTIMATES COST At S245,OOO
Structure Outlined Is Con-
crete and Provision Made
for Statues of Statesmen
and Warriors.

Believing that it is now only a ques-
ton OF time before the problem of the
construction of an International bridge
across the Rio Grande. furnishing bet
ter communication with Juarez. will be
taken up by both the United States and
Mexican governments, j. L. Campbell,
engineer of maintenance of way of the
Ell Paso and Southwestern system, has
completed an elaborate design. purely
through personal entertainment and in
terest in the matter. which calls for
due consideration should continued
agitation result successfully.
Estimated Cost S245.OOO.
Mr.. Campbell who has for the past
five years drawn plans for the Ell Paso
& Southwestern bridges and who was
formerly connected with the constFuc-
ton department of the Rock Island line
between Kansas City and ST. Louis. Mo-.
has carefully sketched his 1raTt7e
so that IL shows every detail includ-
ing the actual ornamentation of the
structure and its dimensions, even ap-
proximately calculating the total ex-
pense which he places at S245000
The length of this proposed bridge
would extend $50 feet with a clear width
of 20 feet, the material used being re-
inforced concrete. 1t would rest on
pile foundations extending so feet be
low the river bed. The dimensions
make allowance for a street car line
Of double tracks, sidewalks and road
ways.
Six spans, topped at the intersections
by columns upon which could rest ap-
propriate statues of famous statesmen
and warriors of each country. are in
cluded in the general ornamental
scheme In the center the plans exhibit
a keystone arch on each side of which
impose a coat of arms of the United
States and Mexico. placed on the re-
spective sides of each country. The
Mexican seal of state would face the
south, while the American eagle would
look toward the north perched above
the red, white and blue emblem.
Washington and Juarez Statues.
Surrounding the columns attached TO
the arch, it is proposed that bronze
statues of Washington and Juarez face
each other the latter facing the west.
Upon he remainder of the columns
would stand six statues designed by
sculptors to appropriately represent
warriors and statesmen of national rep
utation as might be selected by each
country.
f orr lights are provided for each
blaze of electricity at night.
In discussing the plans Mr.. Campbell
says such q structure would last thou
sands of years, as there is nothing in
its construction TO get out Of order or
to be repaired. In flood time the water
could not reach within five feet of the
top Of the spans. allowing the water to
rise to the 90 foot level, the highest
mark on record
IL
curve Sufficiently to alloy driveways &c
be constructed at each cad Of the bridge
The estimated cost. according to Mr..
Campbell. would not exceed 81 square
foot, making a total of less than a quar-
ter of million. IT would require about
six months TO finish the bridge from
the time construction was started
Mr.. Campbell drew the sketch within
the short period Of ten days and both
its simplicity and beauty will attract
attention by those interested in the pro-
posed project