Omaha daily bee., 1911-11-19
Council Bluffs
PUBLIC WORK DURING YEAR
Two Small Jobs and Then the
Paving is Out of the Way.
LARGE SUMS SPENT ON STREETS
street Railway, Water and Light
ing Companies Improve the
Condition of Their
Plants.
LARGE SUMS SPENT ON STREETS

Contractor Wickham yesterday began
work on the last two sections of street
paving that will be undertaken this sea-
son. A big force OF men are grading
North Eighth street for the two blocks
Of pavement between Avenues G and I.
The grading will he completed and the
foundation ready for the concrete by this
evening or tomorrow. Brick are being
hauled for resurfacing Willow avenue on
the south side of Baylss park. only the
most improbable weather conditions will
prevent the early completion OF these two
small sections.
Rough estimates Of the amount OF work
done on the streets during the last sea-
son, including paving, sewers, curbing,
sidewalks, etc, and that done by the
street railway, telephone, gas and cleo
trio companies and the water board will
approximate fully $5OO,OO0. This estimate
does not take into account the permanen,
Improvements in the way Of building en-
terprises, which will aggregate a large
sum, showing the greatest number of
dwellings and comfortable cottages for
homes that have followed the building
activities in any year.
The purpose of the city administration
to push the street paving to the extent
of about $4,000 each year until all of the
principal streets are paved has been much
more than realized. The estimates of
permanent street Improvements exceed
$4,000.
The work done by the street railway
company in the extension of its lines
and the rebuilding of the double tracks
haC aqb
OF more than $4,000, large portion of
which has gone for the payment of la
Dor.
Improves Lighting system.
The Citizens Gas and Electric company
has expended about $4,000 on the streets
in providing extensions of gas mains and
electric light lines and the installation of
the new flaming arc lights and under
grounding Of its lines in the business
sections of the city. In addition TO this,
about $4,000 has been expended in other
directions for the betterment Of the sery-
ice.
The telephone company has paid one
hill of $4,000 for cable, conduits and labor
in connection with the consolidation of
the two plants, and the total cost of the
work done on the streets viii be very
much in excess Of $4,000 The work re-
QuIred the rebuilding Of many manholes,
and the construction Of several new ones
with expensive side lines. The removal
Of one, big pole at the corner of Broad
way and North Eighth street entafled an
expense of $500. The cost of the new
switchboard and its installation is about
10000, and the eontract price Of the, new
building, without furnishings. is approx
Il. q
by the company during the season, of
$4,000. A large part OF this money has
also gone for the payment Of labor.
New Water Mains.
When the water commissioners conclude
the work now under way the expenditure
VIII approximate So, OOO This includes the
one mile of twelve-inch pipe on South
Main street, the installation of large
number of steamer fire MIGRANTS on that
street and Broadway, and the lateral pipe
connections, tying the big main with the
six-inch mains on adjoining streets, and
the extensions on other streets, adding
more than two miles and making an
actual total of three and one-half miles
of twelve, eight and siX-lnch mains. 1t
also includes the new reservoir at the
Thirty-seyenth street station, which will
cost $4,000, the Identification of that plant
and it's installation in $500 fireproof
structure; the new $4,000 boiler house and
installation OF the new 100000 gallon
pump, amounting 70 $4,000. and the other
improvements that have been made Of a
general character. '~--.- .--' '-'-.---. -.----
This leaves untouched balance of more
than S5O, 900 cash on hand realized from
the sale OF the 100000 bond issue. after
paying for the plant itself. 1t also leaves
available all of the profit from an income
of at least $4,000 which win be received
from water consumers during the year
The first report OF the commissioners
will show some agreeable surprises con-
corning the profits from the operation of
the plant. Commissioner Jensen said yes
terday that more than ten miles of water
main extensions would be made in 1912
that will give first class water service to
sections Of the city so long in need of the
relief. Nothing less than six-inch mains
will be laid. go
These figures show that Council Bluffs
has enjoyed very prosperous year in
many respects.
Thumb Of Lineman