Evening journal., 1912-08-13
WOULD
STRENGTHEN
The BRIDGE

Consulting Engineer John z. Grainer
reported 20 the Levy Court today on
the condition Of Washington street
bridge, finding that the bridge, gem
orally, is in good condition. although
some repairs are needed. He found
the steel roadway on which the troll
ley tracks are laid, greatly rusted
and deteriorated The lateral and
sway bracing is fimsy and sags under
It's own weight. thereby permitting
considerable vibration TO the struc-
ture while under trathc. The sub
structure is in fair condition except
one abutment, which should be drain
cd. Painting Of the structure is
recommended.
Regarding the safety Of the bridge
under existing traffic conditions Mr.
Greiner recommended as follows:
On account of the bad condition Of
the track stringers, which even ip
sound condition would be overloaded
about 25 per cent with the 16-ron
cars in service, ] would consider them
while in their present shape Of doubt
ful safety. The steel joists under
the roadway while in bad condition,
are helped out 10 some extent by the
wooden stringers. although these
wooden stringerR are also IN many
cases poor, but the two combined may
be considered temporarily safe for
! light roadway traffic, the maximum
loads not in excess Of three tons on
four wheels moving al very slow
speed The bridge may also be con-
sidered safe for an ordinary crowd oi
people. but not for a jam
Mr.. Greiner reported further that tbs
present track traffic can certainly not
be increased without materially
strengthening and repairs, and, as .
matter Of fact, il would be better II
street car traffic was cut out entirely
until the defective track stringers
are replaced. He believes the bridge
is totally unsuitable for heavy elec.
trio car service, T. e., electric oarE
weighing from forty to fifty tons, and
if such cars should ever be required
70 run over the bridge It would b,
necessary to rebuild throughout
Remove the dirt and growths from
around the steel works and drain al
Immediately back of north abutment
Replace all I-beam track stringsri
with new I-heams weighing 20 pounds
pc rfoot each. provided with saddle
for carrying the track. Repair O
replace the two corroded shoes on III
= north abutment and the strut adioin
ing same.
Replace the badly detsriorated stee
roadway joists with new I-beamf
keeping in place, however those sec
! tions which are not seriously cor
rcded and use whatever sound tTacl
stringers which may be found afte
7 they are taken out, or these steel road
( way joists may remain in place, pro
/ vided they are re-enforced with sxs
Georgia yellow pine loists on eacl
J side of each steel ioists
Replace the decayed wooden Joist
and all decayed plank with SCUM
I timber
Adjust all members out Of adjust
ment and thoroughly serape and pain
! ell steel work.
Invite responsible bridge contraS
: tors TO submit proposals for dom
= the work outlined in these recon
mendstions, and do the work at n
earliest possible date.
q When the work is finished the bride
Z will be in condition to carry doupl
: truck cars, weighing between twenty
FIVE and thirty tons, wagons OF powe
trucks on the roadway weighin
. twelve tons, in addition to any ord
: nary vehicular trafic.