Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-18

Fairfield and Benton are to share in
N,tp,00o New Years gift when that
@9-foot Railroad bridge between the
tao towns will he completed Dec. Il,
VI, and doubtless soon put into opera
on. Also by the means of this bridge
fsiriclQ is again to come into its own
md enjoy the privileges of a junction
En which it had fully a half century
ago when the old Portland & kennebec
silroad bridge Travelled over praCti-
ally the same route. History repeats
&elf in double quick time according
% the annals of Fairfield and that with
modern advantages on the asset side
certainly looks as if things were go
X 10 pick up for this town. The
folks Of Fairfield almost dare to hope
lat SOON their town will be designated
Is certain Fairfield lawyer put it. An
inquirer said. Let's see, Fairfield is
aree miles above Watcrville." NO"
aid the lawyer, "Waterville IS three
niles below Fairfield"
Facts and Figures
Here are facts and figures concerning
@e new "a lroad bridge which will give
IN idea of the structure:
Cost f hridge-$l, OO0, 900.
Length of bridge from Fairfield main
more 70 Benton main $50 feet,
insisting of fourteen 7212-foot deck
Plate truss spans: six 60foot deck plate
russ spans two 1S7-foot truss deck
pam, two ln3-foot through girder
spans
Time Of starting work-Concrets
WORK started in October, 1916. structur-
al iron work started in June, 1917.
Process of welding-Compressed air
reduced Ivy Chicago rheumatic Oil
Burners.
Number Of rivets in bridge construc-
Fifty thousand.
NfeW-AVerage of so men.
Number Of concrete piers-Twenty-
NO concrete piers; two concrete abut-
ments.
importance of bridge in comparison
'l'h ether Maine bridges-Considered
ne largest and the best bridge in the
rms Tree State.
Purpose Of Bridge
me purpose OF the new bridge is TO
ave relocation of the track which
pe'dttS from Waterville to Bangor.
,ne bridge starts at the junction at
* edS' end of the Fairfield station and
CONTINUOUS bridge across the Ken
s'ee rN"r, joining the former railroad
-'e On The Benton side at Plummer's
r.'m The former track in Benton
Dm doubtless he maintained only as
d. hummer $ crossing to the steel
,rue near the West Benton station,
MN 1t is thought, will be side
.L', ior use If shippers in Benton, in
,.'N'E the United Paperboard Co.,
= 'o houses and any parties desiring
sup goods. The lire from the sta
lb "a a. West Benton to Waterville. in
saiaS The bridge in Benton and Wa
~. IT IS to he abandoned.
a. .n.S new route is in almost the same
- inoh as the old Portland & kenne-
~, na'iroad that was discontinued in
5 49,. the year that the old bridge was
49, .o!el by fire. The Watervilte
80 ,.use has been condemned The
,sr 80 track proposition between Wa
az 'e and Clinton, thus closing the
! M IA me double track from Pittsf1etd
"a'efNllle includes the new work
'eh Fairfield and Benton.
p, Advantage Of Change
,bos new line reduces the grade and
Nj. ns the distance between Water
aers sho bangor some 900 feet. The
Fai,s "ouhle track from Watervilie TO
No ,s offers opportunity of extend
.a,a ne east end Of the Waterviiie
trdo makes better turn to cross the
noe ana makes it possible to have
switches in the Watervil!. yard.
ess,wt'ch house has beer, built IN the
ss,es eiid Of the Fairfield station and
VIII soon be secured for the cross