Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-02-27
SALEM & FALLS CITY ROAD TO
BEGIN CONSTRUCTION WORK
ININTEDIATELY is REPORT
FROM HEAD OFFICE.
TO BE STEEL, WITH LIFT SPAN
Cost Between $175,OOO and $2OO,OO
Iron and Steel Already Secured;
Roads Route East OF Salem stilI
in Doubt; VIII Operate Cars Over
River Inside OF Year.

Contract for the building of new
steel bridge across the Willamette
river at Salem, by the Salem, Falls
City & Western railway has been
awarded, and work viii begin at
once, according to the announcement
made Saturday by Louis Gerlinger,
president of the road. The new
bridge viii be entirely of steel and
will be modern In every way, costing
between $175,O00 and 100000. IL
win rest upon six concrete piers and
win have a lift span similar 70 the
Madison street bridge in Portland.
1t is declared that 1t will be the best
bridge of the kind In the state. 1t IL
stated on good authority that the iron
and steel for the bridge has been or
dered for several weeks. and that the
timbers for the approaches are al
ready prepared. The immediate con-
struction work will consist In tho
erection of the approaches. The
bridge will cross the river at Union
street in Salem. which is two blocks
north of the present county bridge.
Franchise Year Ago.
A franchise on Union street in Sa-
lem was granted the Salem, Falls
City & Western road just year ago.
and under a bond of $4,000 the
company stated 1t would have cars
running into Salem within two years.
At the same time an official OF the
company said that cars would be run
ming into that city before the close
OF 1912.
At the time that the Union street
franchise was accepted, another fran
chlse was secured from the state for
the right to extend bridge across
the river. This plan was approved
by the war department.
Gave County Chance.
The railroad company did not de-
eide to go ahead with the plans
which have resulted In the present
development Immediately after secur-
ing the franchises from the city and
state. Instead, less than a year ago.
attorneys and officials OF the COM
peany appeared before the Salem
city council and proposed that the
city and the council each put up
$50, 900 and the railroad the remain
der Of the amount for the construction
OF a lift bridge across the river for
the use OF trains. vehicles and pedes-
trians. Both the council and the
county court looked upon the pro-
posaI favorably for a time but did
not see Mt 20 take. action. and as a
consequence the road proceeded with
It's other plans.
Route Indefinite.
As now agreed upon the route of
the road on the east side Of the river
or IN Salem. proper. r. up Union
street 70 Capitol street and across
private property to the right Of way
Of the Southern Pacific which Il
parallels 20 Frickey street when Il
turns eastward and runs direct 20
lFIr. II is stated. however. that the
lcompany has not officially decided
upon the route from Salem and. at
this time. Chief Engineer Taylor is
I working on other routes. IL is stat
ed that inducements have been offer
ed the company 20 extend the road
directly 70 silverton rather than Pr
and the engineering department j.
looking up that route
!. While the construction OF this
bridge win oner means 70 the Salem,
Falls City A. Western 70 cross the
river and extend it, line eastward
from the Capitol city. tapping the
rich agricultural and timber beit IN
i eastern Marion county. Il viii also
probably Be the means Of the South
ern Pacifc's entering salem with ~
west side electric line. according 20
I announcement made from southern
srs.-sr--.s ~ rnra rIvef