The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-08
BRIDGE BUILDERS
GET EXTENSION
Promise New Structure by July
IL, 1913. and Get Eight
Months Time.

| An extension OF the time for the
completion Of the new Mayo Bridge to
July IL, 1919. was granted yesterday by
City Engineer Charles E. Boiling. con-
ditioned on the promise OF ]. J. smith
& Co. to prosecute the work to his
satisfaction at all ttmesl with an
ample force, both day and night. and
with proper mechanical equipment
The Committee on Streets met yester-
day afternoon to consider matters re-
lating to the delays in construction OF
the new bridge. but was informed by
City Attorney Pollard that the bridge
contract made the City Engineer the
sole arbiter. the contract specifying
that at all times the work must be
prosecuted to his satisfaction. II this
is not done the City Engineer has the
right to revoke the contract and ad-
vertise for new bids. or have the
tory contractor.
In order to make the matter one
Of official record Mr.. Boiling submit
ted the following report to the Com
mittes on Streets. which was approved:
Mr.. BollinE's Report.
"Gentlemen.-I beg to report to you
that ! have an application from ]. >.
Smith e. Co, Inc, to extend their time
for the completion of the new Mayo
Bridge to July IL, 1913. and that ! have
informed them that I consent to this
extension with the distinct understand
ing that they are to provide all labor
materials and mechanical plant neces-
sary for the proper prosecution OF TINS
onnrnv0v
and that, if they fail to do SO. the
power given me in their contract on
account of their failure to observe the
conditions Of the contract: to cancel
the contract and have the work COM
pleted by self, is still distinctly re-
served. and is to be effective at any
time between now and July IL. 1913.
AT the present date about 65 per
cent of the actual construction OF the
bridge is completed. This percentage
constitutes by tar the most dimcuN
and troublesome parS OF the work.
namely, the securing OF foundations
for the piers and .aoutments and ra's-
ing the incoi.p lete Cnes to q safe
height above tidewater, which. to a
very large extent. will prevent Sc
rious interruption by freshets. the
difficulties of securing these foundS-
lions for piers was much greater tnan
was anticipated by the contractors OF
myself, as in many instances the bases
of the piers had to be extended 10
very considerable depth below the ex-
listing old founda tion piers, as the OLD
piers were built upon insecure founda-
tions. There was also serious inter-
ruption for several months on account
Of cold weather. during which concrete
could net be placed. and there were
several Interruptions and delays caused
by freshets, which not only destroyed
considerable amount OF preparatory
work Of Putting in piers. but was the
cause of the force being disorganized
and incomplete for several days long
er than the actual period OF the
freshets. and created much grea.rr de-
lay than the ffeshets.
Smith Promises to Rush Work.
II have a letter from Messrs. I. J.
Smith & Co.. Inc. dated the "a
instant, in which they not only set
forth In what manner they propose to
carry on the work in future. but with
their assurance and promise to press
forward this work vigorously to its
completion. Relying upon this Sssur-
ance and the positive understanding
that II they failed at any time to pro-
vide all that is called for In the con-
tract to prosecute this work to my sat
Cancelled, 1 felt Justified in granting
the extension for which they asked,
believing as I do that this is the best
means Of bringing the bridge to COM
pletion-
II would further assure you that
in the event there is a failure on the
part of Messrs. /. J. Smith & Co.. Inc.
to observe. obey and carry out all the
agreements for which they are bound.
I shall exercise my right to cancel the
contract at any time between now and
July IL. 1913.
Il attach a full and complete re-
port from g. u. Bowers. the resident
engineer. giving a full and accurate
description OF how the WORK has been
prosecuted up to this date. based upon
the records which he had on fle in his
Office, which I submit to you for your
further Information.
Yours truly,
CHARLES E. BOILING
City Engineer"