Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-05
BECK SAYS CITY SHOULD
BUILD ITS OWN v|ADuCT
Relieves That Is Only Permanent
Solution of Transvallcy Bridge
Problem.
SURVEY NOW IN PROGRESS
City's Engineers Giving Study to
Problem Of Approaches for Pro-
posed City Span Across Valley to
Serve Whole NorthSiIc.


The viaduct problem will be solved
when the CITY constructs it's own bridge
across Bacon's Quarter Branch Valley,
and hardly before them" said Henry p.
Beck. OF the Administrative Board. last
night. The acquisition OF the two
NorthSidc viaducts now owned by the
Virginia Railway and Power Company
would only defer the matter for Il short
imc-ccrtainly for not more than ten
years.
Neither Of tho two bridges arc wide
enough or substantial enough to ac-
commodatc the heavy traffic that will
follow when the territory in the north
ern suburbs becomes more thickly set
tied. In five or ten years the volume
of traffic Will have Increased to such
an extent that the present structures,
If they have not by that time been
supplantcd by others. will he inadequate
for It's accommodation"
The first step in the direction of a
municipality viaduct across the
valley has already been taken Under
the direction Of Mr.. Beck. the engineer
member Of the Administrative Board
TIA" survey that is being made of ali
the new territory is being directed to
include a study OF the topography and
traffic lines OF the Northside district
With the view OF determining the best
location for n new bridge
IT may be possible To serve both
Gin;cr Park and Highland park bv .,
snsl" well-placed bridge" said Mr..
'eck My own idea. without having
given the matter more than cursorv
attention, Is that single wide. sub
Stantiai Niaduct placed somewhere
between Fifth and First Streets. would
solve the problem Such a bridge could
be made to accommodate. a doui,lc-trnci,
car line and built strong enough 10
allow number Of cars on the bridge
at one time. II would he n compara
lively simple matter. If the approaches
OF the hridc" arc we'll placed. to make
the necessary changes in trackaCc on
both sides Of the valley so as to make
the present two distinct lines converge
at the proposed new bridge.
TOLL CHARGES BAR
FULLEST DEVELOPMENT
The transportation link across tho
valley should. by ali means, be an
integral part of the clty's highway
system. free To he used by the Who'll.
ct'y. without tolls or charges o. any
Kind, Every toll charge Is a barrier
against free and easy communication
ana to that extent a bar To til. ful!cs,
development OF the new territory"
While many Councilmcn hold the be-
lief That the day Is not far distant
when the city Will be called upon to
issue bonds for the construction OF a
modern vaduct across the valley to
link the old city with the new. tho
project is still several years In the
future and attention Is being directed
to the adjustment Of the problem with
the meants that are at hand
y movement in this direction was The
Introduction By Councilman Ferguson
last week Of resolution looking to
the acquisition by the city OF the
Marshall street, Fifth Street and First
street Niaducts. all owned by corpora
,tr,I l..
way and Power Company. The meas
urc is now in the hands of the Com
mittee on streets
Mcanwhil" the city IL cmbroilcd in
4 minor key controversy with the Vir-
GINA hallway and Power Companv over
Il bill Tor s27 that the company has
rendered for toll charges levied upon
municipal vehicles for the use OF the
TWO northsidc viaducts. The Admin
istrativc Board has indicated its feel
Ing that spirit Of cooperation should
have impcllcd the power company to
allow the free passage OF fire police
hospital ana street cleaning apparatus
and has sent the bill TO the Council
with Il sharp comment. That body has
referred the bill To the Committee on
Claims.
The board ordered yesterday the pay
ment, as soon as funds were available
OF the bill for $40 presented by CON
n
Tor services rendered. Mr.. Scarbor-
ouEh, under tho boards instructions,
made a careful examination OF the
First and Fifth street Viaducts for
the purpose OF establishing their safe
ty and determining their ability TO
carry multiple-car trains.
wHEELWHIGIIT DECLARES
ROTH BRIDGES SAFE
The report pronounced both bridges
in safe condition, but recommended ex-
tensive rcinforccments In the decking
OF both bridges. The Fifth Street
Niaduct, MIR. Scarborough said. was
strong enough for the operation OF
two train cars Of the new type but the
First street Bridge, without material
reinforcement. was not.
statement from President Wheel
wright, of the Virginia Railway and
power Company, asserts that both via
ducts are stronger and more substan-
ttal than the Free Bridge over the
river. which, Is operated by the city
for general traffic purposes. The com
pany. he said, Will not operate it's new
70,000-pound steel cars over the FREQ
Bridge. but feels perfectly safe in send