Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-04-13
BRIDGE OVER
The DELAWARE
Connecting Philadelphia
and Camden.
VERY IMPORTANT
Each South Jersey County Will
Be Benefited When Bridge
or Tunnel Is Established.

Inc new Jersey commission 10 pre-
pare plans and specifications for a
bridge over, or tunnel under the
Delaware river, connecting Camden
with Philadelphia, is matter of vast
Importance to South Jersey Counties
A bridge is more important to the
lower counties as this can be used by
automobilists and Cumberland County
with other counties, would receive di-
rect benefit. A tunnel might prove
less attractive, as this method would
for the transportation of passengers.
The Commission appointed by Gov
ernor Fielder is high class one and
includes Mr.. Frank Burroughs of this
city. He is member of the state COM
mittee at large and is Vice President
of the Commission. Mr. Burroughs
will prove one of the most valuable
men upon the Commission as he has
for many years been a man of large
business affairs and his affairs have
taken him pretty we'll over the coun-
try.
The Commission is now provided
with a fund of $4,000, this amount
having been appropriated by Camden
Gloucester and Burlington Counties.
1t is not unlikely that in the future
Cumberland, with other South JERSEY
Counties will be advised to make an
preparations.
The Camden Post Telegram prints
the following anent the project
Now that the Delaware River
Bridge Commission has got down to
business, with a salaried Secretary,
and a President who has already
shown intense interest in the project,
something tangible may be looked for
In the near future, in the way of To-
eating the site, preparation of plans
and specifications, and a wider public
interest in the project. Philadelphia
is cooperating in practical way
through its city departments, in fact
the project has taken on a form and
substance to confound the croakers
who predicted that the bridge never
would be built. 1t may, indeed, be a
race between bridge and tunnel since
the Taylor plan of rapid transit de-
Vn1Nnnnnt 1rlo
the construction of tube under the
river, with loop on this side, to be
used by the subway cars.
"One of the most important ques-
tions before the Commission is the To-
cation of the bridge. This has al
ready been considered by the Phila-
delphia Department of Surveys, which
reported to City Councils in favor of
locating the Philadelphia approach at
or near Race street. But the exact
site may depend upon borings in the
river bed and other engineering in
vestigation.
I'm this connection, if it is avail
able, the data upon which Engineer
Speakman located his Delaware River
bridge more than forty years ago
would be useful. The Commission
should make inquiry to ascertain if it
Is still in existence. Speakman,
capable engineer and en- enthusiast on
the project, went SO far as to prepare
detailed plans and specifications for
the structure, organized a company
to build the bridge and even ordered
some of the material But there was
hitch over finances, public interest
Jagged and the project was ultimately
abandoned.
David H. Wright, a PHILADELPHIA
lawyer residing at Riverton, N. J.. is
the successor of Speakman insofar as
he revived the bridge prospect and
aroused public interest in it. Others
have now taken it up with commend
able enthusiasm, and the Legislature
having given it official status and op-
ened the way for financing the bridge,
the project is advanced to the second,
or practical stage to be followed in
the near future, we hope. by the third
stage, which means its construction
and public use.
1T Is not necessary to review the
argument for the bridge; that ground
has all been covered, and each day
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