Norwich bulletin., 1915-11-20
SPEEDY START ON NEW BRIDGE
As Soon as Contracts Can be Let for Railroads New Bridge Over the Thames-Expected to be Ready for Use in Bridge and Approaches to Cost $2,5oO,00O

A New Haven dispatch on Friday said:
 With the approval of the directors of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Go. the engineers of the company are completing, final arrangements for the.a building of a new bridge over the Thames river at New London. The present bridge was built in. 1888 and 1889 and was orig inally. a two track structure. In 1903, however, owing to the increase in the weight of equipment, it was necessary to limit the use of the bridge to sim gle track operation.
 When the new bridge is finished the old bridge will be given by the New Haven road to the state of Connecti- cut for use as highway bridge, there on and motor road along the short road to- a marked degree.
 Old Bridge Cost $1,3oo, 900.
 The present bridge, with its ap- breaches, cost originally $1;300, 900, and is a five span structure, the length of each span from west to east being 15O feet, BIO feet, 503 feet (draw span of the swing type). BIO feet and 150 feet.
 The action of the directors of the New Haven in approving the final plans for the new bridge is in line with the policy of Elliott administra- tion, to put the property in a position to do the maximum amount of busi- ness and to perform it's duties as a common carrier with the utmost safe ty and efficiency. The operation of the Thames river bridge as a single track has reduced the capacity and efficiency of the entire main line from Boston to New York and it has been the intention of the directors to cor rect the situation just as soon as there was any financial ability to do so.
 New Bridge to Cost $2,5oo,ooo.
 The new bridge and approaches will cost approximately $2,50O,0O0 this amount is only one-tenth of the min imum amount that President Elliott ed in the next five years for new equipment; for better ballast on cer- tain lines so as to increase safety, pre- serve ties and keep down dust; for improved and added signals so as to increase safety and capacity of road; for added trackage, yards and sidings; for improved terminal facilities at many points so that better care may be taken of motive power, better working conditions created for em- ployes and better service given to the public, and for an indeterIninate amount of minor improvements. To accomplish all this and to put the company in a position where it may operate its trains with the greatest economy, efficiency and safety, will mean the expenditure of at least $25,- 0O0, 900 to $50, 900, 900; but as the sit uation at Thames river has been for several years a drawback to efficient operation, and as it is beyond doubt the 'pinching" point in the main line between New York and Boston, the directors have, now that net earnings are somewhat better. authorized the work.
 To Carry Heaviest Leading.
 The new Thames river bridge will be constructed to carry the heaviest loading now known to eastern rail- road managers or contemplated in the future. There will be a four-track substructure, with a two-track super structure, leaving room for two more tracks later on. The centre line of the new two-track superstructure is dis tant from the centre line of the old bridge 1855 feet upstream. The new bridge will be a five-span structure with bascule type of lift. This was | chosen because of the saving in time in opening and closing for vessels to pass up or down stream as compared with the time consumed j:i opening and closing a draw span cf the swing