Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-24
BAKER APPROVES PLANS
FOR SHORT-L|NE BRIDGE
To Be Constructed Across the Poto-
mac Between Riverside, Md,
and Meton.kin, Va.
RECOMMENDED BY ENGINEER
Bascule Drawbridge,
With Truss and Girder APP
proaches, Providcd-Considcr
Given to All Necessary Safeguards.

WASHINGTON. June 23.-Secretary
Baker to-day approved plans for the
construction OF railroad bridge
@pcross the Potomac River between
Riverside, Md. and Metomkin. Va,
short distance south OF Indian Head
Md. In doing he followed the
Recommendation of Colonel Walter l..
b'isk, the engineer officer in charge Of
this engineering district, and OF Cen
eral William NJ. Black, chief OF en-
ginecrs. The bridge Will be built in
accordance with an act of Congress
approved February 6. 1917. by the
Washington Newport News short line
pr tho Potomac River and Baltimore
Railway Company
Tho plans first submitted by the
company proposed a bridge having a
Swinging draw span TO afford n clear
opening 200 feet wide on each side OF
The pivot pier. Navigation interests.
however, favored fixed bridge to pro-
vide clear opening from 500 to 600
Feet wide, and vertical clearance Of
1856 feet. Thu army engineers disap-
proved OF tt, pivot draw span as
against the interests OF navigation.
ind at their suggestion the railroad
company submitted new plans. These
bridge with truss and girder APP
breaches. The draw has a horizontal
clearance of 500 feet clear with an
Unlimited vertical clearance when
open and vertical clearance, when
closed. OF thirty feet above high
water.
Tho main navigation OF the river lies
between Middle Ground Shoal and the
Maryland shore. and is about $500 feet
wide. Tho bascule draw span is To-
lated In that stretch In the deepest
water, near the middle The revised
Dlans call for ak truss spans, each IFS
eet wide. with a hcadroom OF twenty
eet at high water. decreasing to
bout fifteen feet, due to grade. over
he south or Virginia channel. In ap-
proving the revised plans. Colonel Fish
avs 1T is believed that the bascule
rawhridge will afford ample facili-
les for present and prospective navi-
,ation.
Careful consideration has been given
by this Office" says General Black In
is letter TO the Secretary Of War. ito
II features deemed necessary for the
afety OF navigation through the
ridge. The District officer has taken
p with the railway company the ercc-
ion OF adequate tenders to follow the
inc o! vessels course, without en-
roachinE on the clear width Of open
ng: also the installation Of lights and
ther signals. Including fog signals of
no most modern kind"
The railroad VIII open new terri
DRY in Southern Maryland and Eastern
-irginia. 1t Will give Washington di-
ect rail connection with Prince
georges County. Md. and with the Viz
inia Counties OF King George. West
horcland. Essex. Richmond, Northum-
erland, Lancaster. Middlesex. Glouces-
or and York. as we'll with Newport
cews and Norfolk. Permits for bridges
cross the York River. above Yorktown.
nd across the Rappahannock River. at
Laytons, already have been obtained
rom the State of Virginia. 1t also
ill give the large government inter
SITS at Indian Head. Md. railroad
utlet.
From Riverside. the Maryland end OF
bic Potomac River bridge. the railroad
iii follow the course OF the river 70
his city. connecting with the Balti-
nore and Ohio branch line south Of
iesboro Point The new railroad is
eaded by Frank Cannon. former pres
. lent of the Norfolk and Southe' n
Hallway Company. and is said to have
mple capital for it's construction.