Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-13

nsney and safety in tho bridges and
euivsrts built.
Under the old system, the bridges
| were designed by the bridge company's
engineer. His position depended on
being able to skin the plans so low
that his company would be sure to get
The contract. The less he gave the
county for the money expended. the
greater were his company's profits.
There were no plans prepared for the
smaller structures. The bridge fore
man, who usually knew nothing about
the strength of concrete or steel, put
Ut the culvert as he saw fit. In order
to make it appear that he was good
foreman and got work done quickly,
the foundations were usually carried
an insufficient distance below the
stream bed. The reinforcing was often
barbed wire or scrap iron, which could
be secured cheaply.
Now the work, even to the smallest
culvert, must be done in accordance
with the standard plans prepared by
the state highway commission, and in
accordance with the detail plans pre-
pared by the county engineer. These
plans have been developed, taking into
consideration the largest traction en-
s!nes. Your thresherman need have
io fear in crossing any of these bridges
which have been properly constructed.
Ask any thresherman what he thinks
concerning the bridges built within the
past three years.
The standard specifications required
by the new law provide for richer
concrete more reinforcing steel, deep
err foundations, better materials, heav-
Ter bridges, and more inspection than
was formerly secured. All Of these
items make for greater permanency.
This is the greatest saving Of all.
Ninth-The new road law has saved
money by requiring that contracts
for bridges costing over $1,000, and
contracts awarded at private lettings
after public bids have been received,
shall be approved by the highway
commission.
In the fall of 1913. contract was
sent in from Benton county for an
eighty foot steel span. with concrete
floor and abutments, located in Sec
ton L. Taylor township, Benton
county:
Contract price -.............s 5.SsS.o0
Our estimated price ........ 4,S51.00
Difference ..............s 10000
On Nov. 10. we wrote the contractor
and county, refusing TO approve the
contract unless the price was reduced
to more nearly correspond with the
estimated cost. In a few days, the
contractor replied that he could re-
duce the price 1913. but no more. This
offer was refused. and finally the con-
tract was divided, the concrete work
being let TO the original contractor and
the steel work 10 another bidder as
fellows:
Concrete sub-structure and
floor ................s 3, l2500
Steel superstructure erected. $4,000
Total approved price .....s 4,745.oo
Amount saved ... 1,153.00
Saved $435 on One Bridge.
On Aug. 81, 1914. letting was held
for a ninety-foot bridge In Section 27,
Union township, Boone county. Bids
received on a 90-foot steel pony truss
span with concrete floor and abut-
ments, and on an alternate plan for
rainbow arch bridge. The
low bids were:
80 foot rainbow arch spans 5.71i.o0
s8-foot steel pony truss span A4s1.oo
Difference Observation-Disclosures 10000
Both bridges had the same width OF
roadway: both were designed under
the standard SDpcIHcatfons: both had
the same area of waterway. and the
location is on township road.
The commissions engineer present
that the contract be
awarded for the steel bridge, as. in his