The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-10-02

that the location of the track in the
center of the roadway would produce
a uniform loading on the bridge. and
second, it would concentrate the drain
age of the pavement to the cutters, to
maximum degree, and where 1t can
be most easily disposed Of.
To brig about this change in the
most satisfactory manner, | should re-
commend that the present pavement
and tracks should be removed from
curb to curb and the steel buckle
plates thoroughly cleaned of all rust
and new plates furnished where ncces-
sary. A concrete foundation should
then be layed on the plates and
brought to the proper crown for the
pavement. This foundation should be
about three inches in thickness at
the gutter, and seven inches in thick
ness at the center of the roadway
The surface of this foundation should
be trOweled to a smooth finish, such
as is given cement sidewalk work.
The smoother this finish can be made,
the greater it's efficiency will be to
resist moisture. On the surface of
this concrete foundation, l should APP
ply half inch coat of refined coal tar
pitch or some approved bituminous
waterproofing. The paving blocks
may then be layed on this surface and
paving composition.
Scuppers should be provided at fire.
quent intervals along the curb for
drainage and they should be carried
to the ground through an approved
waterproof conductor.
In order to produce a complete and
permanent drainage Of the pavement
under the Street Railway tracts, a
metal trough under the rails the en-
tire length of the bridge will be neces-
sary. This trough should be connect
ed at intervals with cast iron pipe or
some approved waterproof conductor
and carried to the ground.
After the completion of proper
drainage to the pavement has been &C
complshed, the steel superstructure
should be protected from further oxi-
dation by painting.
The preservation and future life of
the steel superstructure depends on
the thorough execution of this work.
All meta! work should be first thor
oughly cleaned of all loose scale and
rust, wire brushes being used over the
entire surface of all members.
After being thoroughly cleaned and
inspected by the engineer in charge
of the work, the metal should be given
one good coating of hot raw linseed
Oil we'll worked into all joints and pitt
ed spaces.
This coating should act as an as
tringent to further oxidation.
The metal work should then be
thoroughly and evenly painted with
two additional coats of red lead and
pure linseed oil.
My opinion is that with proper
drainage to the pavement the removal
Of all unnecessary electric wires, a
we'll insulated return conductor for
the street car line and thorough execu-
ton Of cleaning and painting the metal
work which should be repeated at
least every four years, that the life of
the bridge can be extended from
twelve to fifteen years.
I am informed that the bridge was
built by the county and then turned
over to the city to maintain.
To bring about a most satisfactory
result of the repairs of this bridge,
the work done by the street car com.
pany and also by the city, should in
all it's details be subject to the ap-
prevail of the citV'S BOARD of Public
Works and their engineer, and also
by your Honorable Board of Commits
sioners.
Very respectfully submitted,
John W. Mueller,
Engineer.