The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-04-08
.TERRY'S REPORT FAvORS STAMFORD
 AVENUE BRIDGE
City Engineer Points Out Handi- caps to Successful Bridge Construction at Foot of
 State Street

A report submitted by City Eh1gi neer A. H. Terry upon the reIativ,
 costs of constructing a bridge at Stat street or one to replace that now il
 use on Stratford avenue, caused con siderable pleasantly both during ant after the meeting of the Common
 Council last night.
 Discussing both propositions from standpoint of greatest utility and up on the same plans, the Stratford ave nue structure was favored by the Ter ry report although it would necessi tat the condemnfng of considerable prop erty and the widening of East Mair street to 75 feet and Water street tx State street to a width of 30 feet The cost Is estimated at $896, 900
 It is estimated by Engineer Terry that the State street structure alone would cost in the neigh bortood ot $735, 900, which including a 60 foo bridge at Stratford avenue would mear an expenditure of over one million dollars, and in the event that Water street was widened to 30 feet would total close to one and one half million dol1ans.
 The report in full without reference to data and plans also submitted says:
 Last spring on the request of his honor, Mayor Wilson, made investiga- tion into the feasibility of building
 
 foot of State street.
 At that time I took the position that the proposition while not inn possible was not feasible. Four things were responsible for this con clusion. First I considered that a grade of more than two per cent on the approaches was not permissible. Second, that the roadway under the viaduct should be at least three feet above the highest recorded tide. Third that the bridge should be high enough above the water to permit a fair size motor boat to pass under at high tide without opening the draw. Fourth that sufficient traffic relief could not be obtained unless the bridge permit ted of operation by trolIeys.
 Since that time the public demand for this bridge has caused your hon. orabIe body to call for estimates for bridge of some sort at this point
 The cost of such a bridge would be prohibited unless some of the condi- tfon governing my first report were changed. I have therefore based my estimates in this report on three per cent grade of the western ap- proach and keeping the roadway un- der the viaduct down to the elevation of the highest recorded tide.
 In making these estimates I have considered that the railroad company would give the property under the viaduct to the improvement and would ask no damage other than the cost of making the necessary changes in the viaduct itself.
 The same type of bridge is consid- cred in all estimates i. e.. single leaf baseule given 100 feet clear open ing between the lenders for the draw and half through girders for the re- mainder of the bridge. The side walks would be supported by brack- cts on the outside of the girders and trusses of the draw, and the road way would be divided in this center by the projections of the central lon- gitudfnal girdere and truss, under the Viaduct no masonry would be al- lowed to extend above the roadway accomplished by steel posts or col umns.
 No estimate has been made for widening State street from Water to Main street, but in the event of this bridge being built, I would recom- lines that would restrict future build ing to lines that would permit of the proper widening of the street.
 In reference to this project there are certain points to be considered carefully before passing on the pro- roadway under the viaduct and its probable occasional flooding at an ex- ceptiona1 high tide.
 The grade of the west approach. Possible obstruction of navigation. Narrow approach at West End. Beef track for wholesale houses on Water street.
 STAMFORD AVENUE BRIDGE
 Same type as State street bridge considered the present bridge is in poor~physica1 condition, it is not de- signed for the heavy loads of modern traffic, and it is not wide enough to accommodate that traffic if it had been so designed. It must be replac- ed in a very short time by a new bridge whether the State street bridge is built or not
 If the State street bridge is to be built, it may not be necessary to widen the streets approaching the bridge, and the new bridge at strat- ford avenue need be only sixty feet wide, costing about S285, 900.
 If the State street bridge is not built, Stratford avenue should De from the bridge to East Main street, Water street widened from Fairfield avenue to Wall street; Wall street widened from Water street to Main street and the new bridge should be 80 feet wide.
 An alternate proposition would be to widen Water street to State street.
 The Stratford avenue proposition in e1uding widening of Stratford avenue ;o 76 feet, and Water street to Wall street to 70 feet and Wall street to Main street to 70 feet, is estimated 70 cost $715,70O. The same proposi- ion including widening Stratford avenue as above and Water street to State street to 70 feet, but doing noth- ng with Wall street, is estimated to cost $76e, 300.
 The alternative proposition of wid- sning to 80 feet on the west approach S estimated to cost $896, GOO.
 In reference to the Stratford avenue bridge proposition the following points Ire to be considered The widening 1 If Water street which is a large pro portion of the cost is desirable, if lot necessary, whether the State St. l bridge is built or not.
 Trolley relief at the corner of Main 1 md Fairfield avenue is not, obtained. 1 Navigation is not obstructed more |