The Washington herald., 1913-08-04
new STRUCTURE
BADLY NEEDED
Aqueduct Bridge Is made
quate, and Many Believe
Il Is Unsafe.
PIERS ARE VERY OLD
Six sf he Present Supports We're
Constructed IN 1855, and
Coatain Cavities.

old Aqueduct Bridge between George
town and Rosslyn. Va. are pleased with
the Recommendation. recently made by
Col. William c. Langfitt. army officer in
charge of the Improvement Of the Po-
tomac River, for the erection of a new
bridge to replace the old structure. This
recommendation has been indorsed by
Gen. Bixby, chief Of the Army Board OF
Engineers. Those who Use the bridge,
led by Crandal Mackay, Commonwealth
attorney for Alexandria County, Va,
have been making a fight for the last
five years to secure this improvement.
The present structure Is wholly inade-
quate and Is said to be unsafe. Six Of
the piers Of the bridge were erected In
1875, and some of these have been found
to be honeycombed with cavities and
gradually are growing weaker. Piers
one. three. and five are new piers. They
were constructed at the cost of $50 900
each, and are said to be still in good
condition. The new piers are of better
construction than the old ones. which
largely We're built of rubble.
Tolls Formerly Charged.
Prior to 1885 tolls were charged for
using the structure, 80 cents for a double
wagon. 25 cents for a single wagon. and
. cents for an individual. In 1886 a figh.
was begun by the people to make the
bridge free, and Congress made an ap-
preparation in that year OF $4,000 for the
acquisition of the piers and bridge which
was wooden structure
In 1SSS the State Of Virginia ceded five
acres at the southern approach of the
bridge to the United States. About that
time the present structure was begun.
The roadway Of the bridge is about
twenty-five feet wide. 1t Is a steel struc-
ture, floored with planking. The flooring
has to be replaced about once ins four
years, at a cost of 5000. when half of
the bridge is closed at a time. greatly in
conreniencing the traffic here. The floor
ing is OF four-inch Georgia pine or oak
planking. 1t is said that the best wear
has been obtained from the Georgia pine.
Congress passed. in 1906. an act per-
mitting the Old Dominion Railway and
such other roads as need might give rise
to after paying their shares of the MAIN
tenance. to cross the bridge. At the same
time. Congress made appropriation for
the provision Of sidewalks on either side
of the bridge. Iron CASTINGS were bolted
along each side Of the bridge, and upon
them five-foot sidewalks were laid. Per-
mission for electric railways to cross the
bridge provided for one track only. and
that on the west side.
The bridge is about 1,sco feet long. In
Col. Langfitt's report recommending the
of a new bridge. il is stated:
1T is believed that the time has ar
rived when serious steps should be taken
toward some proper remedial action. The |
trafhc across this bridge has increased |
very largely in the last rev years. Ore |
street car track has been built across
it and the desirabiity of another is evil |
dent. Everything points to the conclu- !
sion that an entire new bridge is neces- |
sary at this point"
A somewhat similar report was made |
to the army board OF engineers to the |
War Department about ten years ago. |
In that report. too, the tentative esti- |
mate for the construction of a new |
bridge was placed at s9S0,oc0.
New Bridge Necessary.
About five years ago. the people who
Use the Aqueduct Bridge. took up the
light for a new structure, and since then
they have lost no opportunity TO bring
10 the attention OF the authorities the
need Of this improvement, which Is con-
stantly growing more pressing. Attor-
ley Crandal Mackay has been the leader
n this campaign.
The piers of the bridge are under the |
OF the War Department, and
their maintenance devolves upon the
irmy board OF engineers. The bridge,
tself. is under the Jurisdiction of the
District Commissioners.
About a year ago. inspectors conducted
~ the army engineers and by the Dis
.rict Commissioners, brought in reports
hat the present structure is thoroughly
'afe. The people still maintained that
Il was thoroughly inadequate. They
.laimed that about 10000 people cross
he bridge daily. On May 30. it is esti-
lated, about 10000 people passed across
t.
A wider structure is wanted. and one
hat is surfaced with concrete or asphalt
instead of planking. Mr.. Mackay said
that the last terrific storm
70 twisted the wooden plankings of the
,ridge that ii looked more like a night
lare than a bridge. He also said that
lie was well pleased with the prospect
or new priuge, wnIcn IS soreIy needeo
o accommodate the present traffic.