The Washington herald., 1912-02-22
WILL NOT CLOSE
CALVERT BRIDGE
Continued from Page One.

at approximately $4,000. In 1Sss the
bridge was turned over to the District
government by the railway company.
The bridge is a wrought-iron structure.
consisting of FIVE metal towers. support
ing six pin-connected deck Pratt trusses-
The total length Il 80 feet.
Recent Repairs.
In January. 1910, the railway COM
pany signiied its intention OF oper-
ating heavier cars over the bridge. and
in order to render the structure entire
ly safe under this added load. the ofice
OF the District engineer Of bridges
built five heavy wooden towers to re-
lieve the overstress caused in the tower
spans. An appropriation OF $4,000 was
then granted by Congress for the pur-
pose OF stiffening and strengthening
the bridge. with the proviso that the
railway company deposit a like amo unit.
The plans for the work were prepared
under the direction OF Mr.. Bailey. The
light rods in the towers were replac ced
by rigid diagonals, and tower trusses
were replaced by heavy plate girders.
Heavy Cross frames were substituted
for the light sway rods.
when these improvements were
planned" said Mr.. Baily yesterday. the
narrowing OF the bridge was also de-
cided upon, but II was found necessary
to delay this part OF the work for some
time to await the arrival OF certain
material The narrowing OF the bridge
was undertaken, not, as many persons
believe. for the purpose OF strengthen
ing the structure. but with the idea Of
stiffeninE it. There is a great differ
ence between the two. The narrowing
nf ha hrN he
free from excessive vibrations. Tho
vibrations OF the bridge at the present
time do not indicate that the structure
is unsafe. The reason the vibrations
are Objectionable is that in the course
of time they might have the effect OF
loosening the bridge. So that II is the
future rather than the present safety
of the bridge that we are considering
in narrowing the structure.
Cost of Narrowing.
The bridge is being narrowed at a
cost OF about $500 out of the funds of
the Office of the engineer of bridges.
Three weeks OF work have already been
spent on the bridge. and three more
weeks will be required for the COM
pletion of the repairs. The bridge is
being reduced in width from 80
feet and 4 inches to ~ feet This reduces
the width of the roadway from % feet
to 2S feet. The bridge is being narrowed
upon the recommendation Of II. r. Leon
ard. engineer of bridges and buildings
of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The District Commissioners intended
inserting an item Of 5000 in the District
appropriation bill for the next fiscal year
tor the purpose Of preparing plans for
the erection OF a new bridge, but this
plan was abandoned when Mr.. Leonard
suggested that with 5000 the bridge
could be stiffened so as to last for many
years. Accordingly the item for 5000
was inserted. This appropriation, IL
granted. will be used for the double
flooring OF the bridge. This will stiffen
the bridge, and reduce the vibrations TO
a great extent. The first flooring will
be arranged disgonally. and the second
flooring will be placed latitudinally. This
will carry the load longitudinally across
the bridge, and the effect is obvious.
'If well painted, 1 believe that the
bridge will be safe for fifty years. pro-
viding. of course, that new flooring is
put down every three or four years, as
Is customary. I do Believe, however
that a new bridge should be erected, for
the reason that the trafiic is constantly
increasing. At present the trafic over
the bridge is, in my oploion. rather light,
especially the pedestrian and vehicular
trafic. There Is heavy car traffic, on the
other hand. On the whole. 1 should say
that the general trafic is lighter than
that on the Aqueduct and Anaeostia
bridges.
aside from the practical aspect Of the
situation, believe that a new bridge
should be erected, because Of the promi-
nent site Of the structure. The Connecti-
cut avenue bridge shows the Calvert
street structure up. to use common
phrase. There should certainly be a
more ornamental and artistic structure
over Rock Creek at Calvert street,
Work on the structure will remain at A
standstill. pending the action Of the court
in the matter.