The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-30
THREE SITES FOR
JAMES RIVER SPAN
Committee Suggests Ninth, Tenth
and Laurel Streets for
New Bridge.
NEW YORKER GETS $500
Wins First Prize for Best Bridge
Design-Pittsburgh Man
Second
NEW YORKER GETS 81, 500

reporting on the plans contest for
bridge to replace the present struc-
lure that spans the river at Ninth
Street. n. +. Beck and j. a. Johnston.
members of the special committee of
three appointed By the Administrative
Board TO handle the contest recon
mendcd yesterday that before conclu-
sive action is taken looking TO the cree
tlon or Il bridge on the Ninth Street
route careful consideration be given
rival plans 10 span the river at Tenth
Street or at Laurel street
The recommendation is appended to a
formal report on the competition for
designs which is signed by members
or the Administrative Board, Carlton
Mccarthy and Henry l.. Beck and j. A
Johnston, the fuil committee appointed
by the board The addcndurn recon-
mending the consideration OF the three
locations for a new bridge is signed
only by the TWO last named. leaving
the Inference that il does not have the
support of Mr. Mccarthy
R-rivcs Uptown bridge.
win the committees report is re-
vived again the agitation for an up
town bridge across the James River
Advocates of this plan point to the
steady westward growth of tho city
and the need for "A bridge which will
enable traffic to cross the river without
coming downtown to the crowded
Wholesale districts
In keeping with this view is the
feeling in some quarters against two
bridges spanning the river only five
blocks apart The generous propor-
tons OF the new Mayo Bridge viii IL
is believed by those who hold this vIow
be amply able 10 take care Of the heavy
business trniuc Or the downtown dis
trict. leaving tic proposed new bridge
At Ninth street 10 perform a work far
short Of its cIna,itN. Those would pre-
fer bridge situated farther west
The proposal place the northern
terminus OF the new bridge AT Tenth
street would bring il another block
nearer the MAYO Bridge. with an an
parent lessening Of it's usefulness
Should the new bridge be placed at or
near Laurel Street ~ would take care
OF the increasing volume Of auto!no-
bile and pleasure traffic. leaving the
commercial iraiic TO the Mayo Bridge
New Yorker Wins sI.5oO.
TO b. IL Davis. OF New York CitM
the committee awarded the first prize
OF Sl.oVO FOR the best design for n pro-
posed new bridge across the James
River at Ninth street The second prize
OF $500 went TO X. y. Cunmins. OF Pitts
burgh Pa.
The board advertised for competitive
designs In January, 1913 Among other
restrictions II was stipulated that the.
bridge shall term nate at Byrd Street
on the north side, and at Scumcs
street on the south side, and shall pass
over the tracks OF the Chesapeake and
ohio Railway. Thirty engineers enter
ed the contest sending plans from
cities far vest as Pittsburgh as far
north as Boston, and as far south as
Atlanta.
The salien, features Of the winning
design, according TO the contest com
mittec. include:
Two parabolic spnndrcl arches be-
tween piers: adaptnbility 10 economical
construction because Of the fact that
the piers are so located that the old
bridge can be used as a construction
bridge during Il great part o! the con
struction: wcll-thought structural
details; good ARRANGEMENT OF trolley
poles, electric, gas and water cOnduits;
and a monumental design comulensu-
Iatc with the majesty OF the location"
Tenth street Terminal.
Mcssrs. Scarborough and Rocker the
committee reported. submitted a design
which placed the northern terminal OF
the bridge at Tenth Street near Main
which while not In accordance with
the requirements OF the competition.
furnishes an example of the type OF
construction which Viii be we'll adapted
for the grades OF the present bridge
The report concludes with the fol-
lowing addcndum signed by IL. +. Beck
and J. a Johnston:
Before any conclusive action is taken
looking TO the erection OF a bridge on
the Ninth street route. we earnestly
recommend that careful consideration
ana investigation he given the route
projected directly southwark from