Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-23
SHORT LINE BRIDGE
PLANS APPROVED
Secretary Baker Acts on
Scheme of Washington-NeW-
port News Road.
TO HAVE 2OO-FOOT OPENING

Secretary Baker today approved plans
for the construction of a railroad bridge
across the Potomac river between River
side, Md, and Metomkin, Va. a short dis
tance south of India Head, Md. In so
doing he followed the recommendation
of Col. Walter L. Fisk. the engineer off,
Ger in charge Of this engineering district.
and of Gen. William M. Black, chief of
engineers. The bridge will be buflt in
accordance with an act of Congress ap-
proved February 6. 1917. by the Wash
ington-Newport News short line of the
Potomac River and Baltimore Railway
Company.
The plans first submitted by the COM
pany proposed a bridge having swing
ing draw span to afford a clear opening
zoo feet wide on each side of the pivot
pier. Navigation interests, however. IA
vored a fixed bridge to provide a clear
opening from 500 to 500 wide, and a YER
teal clearance Of 1876 feet. The army
engineers disapproved of the pivot draw
span as against the interests of naviga-
company submitted new plans. These pro-
vide for 4 double-leaf bascule draw
bridge with truss and girder approaches
The draw has horizontal clearance of
Sbh Itel CledI Will uHlluilcu Nti llISli
clearance when open and a vertical
clearance, when closed, of 30 feet above
high water.
The main navigation Of the river lies
between Middle Ground shoa1 and the
Maryland shore, and is about $500 feet
wide. The bascule draw span Is located
in that stretch, in the deepest water
near the middle. The revised plans cali
for six truss spans, each ITS feet wide.
with headroom of 90 feet at high
4 30 oh
to grade, over the south or Virginia
channel. In approving the revised
plans. Col. Fisk says. it is believed that
the bascule drawbridge will afford am
pie facilities for present and prospec-
tive navigation.
Safeguards Are Provided.
Careful consideration has been given
by this Office" says Gen. Black in his
letter to the Secretary of War. ito all
features deemed necessary for the
safety of navigation through the
bridge. The District officer has taken
up with the railway company the erec-
tion Of adequat tenders to follow the
line OF vessels course, without en-
croaching on the clear width Of open
ing; also the installation of lights and
other signals, including fog signals of
the most modern kind"
The railroad will open new territory
in southern Maryland and eastern Vir-
ginia.- 1t will give Washington direct
rail connection with Prince Georges
county, Md, and with the Virginia coun-
ties of King George, Westmoreland, Es-
sex. Richmond, Northumberland, Lam
caster, Middlesex, Gloucester and York,
as well as with Newport News and Nor
folk. Permits for bridges across the
York river above Yorktown and across
the Rappahannock river at Laytons al
ready have been obtained from the state
of Virginia. 1t also will give the large
government interests at Indian Head,
Nd, a railroad outlet.
From Riverside, the Maryland end of
the Potomac river bridge. the railroad
will follow the course of the river to
this city. connecting with the Baltimore
and Ohio branch line south of Giesboro
point. The new railroad is headed by
Frank Cannon, former president of the
Norfolk and Southern Railway Company,
and is said to have ample capital for its