Evening journal., 1910-04-29
RUSHING WORK
ON B. 6 0. BRIDGE
New Structure Will Carry
Trains in April Of Next
Year
NEW FOOT BRIDGE FOR
CITY NOW IN USE

Tho construction OF the new stone i.
and o. bridge across the Brandywine
Creek has proceeded with such success
that il is probable that trains will be
crossing It by next April. Considering the
extent of the project, its completion by
that time will be most satisfactory TO the
3. and o. railroad. Charles A Simms and
Company OF Philadelphia are the con
tractors
Fifteen hundred yards Of masonry Of the
5000 yards in all have been laid. This, OF
course, gives no indication OF the other
work necessltated by the improvement
such as the daming Of the Brandywine'
the laying Of the foundations for the
piers and other incidental work. Piers 1
and have been completed and pier No.
has been laid to the nose" which is
where the arch begins.
Piers Nos. 3, 4 and 8 are TO be prepared
for the "centers" the wooden scaffolding
to support the arches until the keystone
has been placed. These centers weigh 10
tons each and will require half a million
feet Of lumber. Nine oenters are required
Centers for five spans have already been
made.
Two hundred men are on the Job un-
der the direction Of George w. Snyder
The work was started in December, con-
siderable delay being experienced because
OF the strenuous weather during the win
ter The stone for the bridge is from the
quarries of the Cleveland Stone Company,
Of Cleveland, o. The backing Of each
pier is Of concrete.
The masonary is in blocks Of about five
feet in length and two feet I'm width. They
are placed by four large derricks from
either bank. being passed from one to the
other to the middle piers. The contractors
constructed the four track stone bridge
for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Trenton.
The bridge over the Brandywine is for
two tracks, but will have sufficient width
for four.
The contractors have finished the new
steel foot bridge. replacing the old wood
en- foot bridge a few yards west. This
steel bridge has been given TO the city by
the B. and'O. Railroad and is much more
slightly than the wooden one.
Activity at the Site.
The ground about the site Of the bridge
is the scene Of albday activity, and It is
evident that the contractors are determin-
ed to hasten work. Five or six small wood
en- shacks for tools. accommodations foi
the workmen and for other purposes have
been erected on both sides OF the Bran
DIVINE, and a verltable little town OF the
Western land boom" sort has made its
appearance.
on the steep sides Of both banks Of the
stream large quantities Of lumber sn'
stone have been placed. The south side 81
literally covered with the lumber used fo
the centers and other scaffolding. All thi
is Of yellow leaf pine and is CAREFUL!
guarded by watchmen. The lumber an
small buildings extend some distanc
south from the creek. About half bloc
from the site Of the operation, the con
/ tractors have occupied the lower part OF
brick building for their office. The uppe
part Is used as a temporary office by tn
engineers Of the B. and o. railroad, VIII
] are closely interested in the work.
on the north side Of the creek, most o
the stone has been placed. Large gangs o
stone cutters are here, shaping the block
of masonry for the piers. one gang is a
the bottom OF the hill and the other a
the top. As the blocks are finished larg
derricks lift them from the .hill, they ar
transferred TO other derricks'and are thu
lifted into the center OF the stream 81
that they may be placed upon the piers.
The work about the bridge Is grea
source OF entertainment for idle stroller
in Brandywine Park, and every after
noon many persons station themselve
upon the new steel foot bridge TO watcl
the operation. The most interesting phas
OF the work is the placing Of the larg
blocks Of masonry in position. lnis rt
quires a peculiar ability on the part O
the men in charge OF the engines operatin
the derrick, an ability similar TO that pos
sessed by an expert fishermen. The block
have to be swung by the derricks at
signal from a foreman. must be careful
J, balanced over the pier they are TO
placed upon and must then be let dow
gently to be put in place by the masons