Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-04-18

erty would actually be benefited by
the removal if the proper use is made
of it's site. The city has long need
ed public market, and the land oc-
cupied by the Heron street bridge
would be an ideal location for such
an institution, affording as it does
an opportunity for city dock as
we'll. With the market and a dock
that would not only afford the Wish
kah farmers landing place but at
tract the river and Harbor steamers
as we'll, would prove hundred times
more beneficial to the business of
that locality than does the bridge.
The claim that the bridge is good
for years yet lis purely imaginary,
and Is made without investigation.
The structure has been practically
condemned by the city authorities in
charge Of it and of an expensive ex-
pert bridge man, who has no interest
whatever in Aberdeen. 1t is. liable
to go out Of commission any day
and require months to ge it back,
when the repairs and cost of ferry
to those using it as we'll as to the
city-will amount to almost enough
to pay for the proposed new bridge,
to say nothing of the possible loss
of life or property when it goes
smash.
The Cost
The Herald believes the estimated
cost is too high, and that it was made
high through lack of sufficient data
on bridge cost and with the idea of
placing it high enough to secure a
permanent structure. Since it has
been projected, much information
along bridge lines is being received
that leads to the belief that wide
lift bridge can be built at this point
for possibly $4,000, and certainly not
to exceed $60,000
We have in this office letter from
the Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Co.,
of Chicago, accompanied by blue
prints of the bridges, in which they
show one of their lift bridges 269
feet in length, with an opening of
95 feet, 25h feet trusses, and "a
feet roadway between curbs, which
they say can be built for $2S,O00. To
quote from the letter: "The bridge
shown is designed for two street car
tracks and very heavy loading. The
price named does not include the
substructure, but does include the
movable span and the two approach
spans upon which the bridge rolls
in opening, or total length of bridge
of 269 feet
The substructure for lift bridge
is much less expensive than for a
swing bridge, and we feel perfectly
safe in asserting that a bridge of
this make. and of greater width,
could be built for sum well with
in 100000. This would mean that
although bonds to the amount of
$4,000 are voted not more than suf-
ficient to pay for the bridge would,
or could be issued. The bonds, be-
ing voted for a specific purpose, name
ly, to build this bridge could be is
sued for no other purpose, nor could
their proceeds be used for anything
but what they were voted for.
A Condition, Not a Theory
The Wishkah river is one of the
most valuable assets of Aberdeen,
but traffic over it as we'll as on it
must be provided for if it is properly
utilized in developing the city, and
the correct placing of the bridges
that cross it is of the utmost import
ance The location of the North Alb
erdeen bridge is admitted now to
have been a mistake, and it is al
ready in cranky condition. We
are we'll aware that it is easier to
criticize than to remedy, but, for the
purpose of drawing out suggestions,
the Herald will propose a solution
Of this problem.
Build a suitable bridge at Wishkah
street; then remove the Heron street
structure and erect at once a public
market and city dock on its site, and