Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-22
Especial to The Bulietin.)

and democratic members Of New Lon
 don county held meeting this after noon, Senator Barnes presiding, ant Representative Fox as clerk. It was
 an adjourned session and in reference
 to the construction of a new draw bridge over the Niantic river, connect | ing the towns of Waterford and Easi Lyme. A letter was read from County Commissioner Smith, which explains the condition thoroughly. The letter follows:
 To the Honorable Senators and Rep resentatives of New Iondon County, Hartford, Conn. Gentlemen: Owing to an injury. ] was unable to attend the meeting last Wednesday and. to my regret, will not be able to be at your meeting. W1sh, however. to present my views and that of my associates in the county com mission in the matter of the Mantle bridge.
 States government, through the war department, has condemned the Man tic Bridge as an obstruction to her navigable waters and ordered it's re-
 moval or change in condition not later
 On receipt of notice to this effect,
 my colleagues and myself made a
 thorough examination of the premise3
 and were of the unanimous opinion
 that the best interests of all concerned
 would be served by building a new
 bridge i'll another and far more desir-
 able loca tion. -
 The objections to the rebuilding of
 the present bridge are as follows: It
 is in such close proximity to the rail- road bridge Of the New Haven road
 that there is not room enough between
 the two draws for safety in nayiga-
 ton; even were these draws placed in
 line by changing the location of the
 draw in the Mantle bridge, this danger
 would stiII remain. The abutments in
 the present bridge are very inadequ4tt and new ones must be built at heavy
 the current here is very swift and
 caissons must be sunk and the water
 pumped out to insure proper work. In
 accordance with the war departments
 orders, the bridge must be raised
 about six feet above its present level,
 which necessitates a large amount of
 grading at the approaches. The effect
 of this grading will be to practically
 destroy valuable property at each end
 of the bridge, mourning damage bills
 equal to, or greater, than the a1di-
 tional cost of the bridge at the other location The present location is dan-
 gerous by reason of the fact that one must turn a sharp angle in the east ern approach, besides an unnecessary waste of time is required in slowing down and by travelling over several rods of extra distance
 While the cost of rebuilding the old bridge will, damages considered, equal if not exceed that of the bridge at the proposed location, there is this addi- tional fact to be considered, thai while this road a main thorough fare east and west, will he closed to the public use for many months, in- hictfng great inconvenience andA loss upon the south end of the county. Our records show that between 35, 900 and 45, 900 automobiles cross this bridge an nua1ly, mainly in the summer months- To defect this to the Flanders road T %fN -r>5- dents, as that road is already danger ously crowded.
 The advantages of the proposed To- cation are as follows: The land dam shortening of the road is af- fected and a clear. unobstructed view of the road from the top of Durfee Hill to Mantle, a distance of a mile. here is much less rapid and construc- tion will be less difficult and expen- sive. By removal of the old bridge, of these waters win be rem tered safe, which they are not at pres ent and cannot be so made by any form of reconstruction of the old bridge. The reason for this is that any obstruction of the current at this point creates dangerous cross currents,
 In short, any intelligent person has but to view the two bridge sites to unhesitatingly choose the proposed changes.
 The commissioners have proceeded In this matter as far as their author lty permits and now ask your author ity to further proceed. I
 At an expense of about S600,- they have had proper soundiags, borfngs and estimates and plans done and per l fected
 Finally, gentlemen, this bridge is 1 destined to be an important link in the l main road in southern New London nd T7a m st Q txa in be followed in its construction.
 MT. Yates. of the Yates and Yates | company, engineers. who prepared the plans for the county commissioners, | conditions in detail. after stating that Smith had given very clear and thorough statement of the general conditions. Mr. Yates showed | ion and the proposed new location,5 he latter being the one approved by F he county commissioners. The cost of i he bridge and approaches would be 80, 900. The plan of bridge at the I present. site, required Q pneumatic | and of concrete construc- ion. He also showed a plan for a | teel bridge. and the. draw opening would have to be in line with the draw # the railroad bridge. The cost would be about $45. -sThe new bridge would allow vessels to pass at all ime. The upkeeP for concrete bridge sooiu DO HoeiAii.Ss -SASSPt suCil sAs lCH lraw operation and roadway. The life # steel bridge is from twenty five 0 thirty years. A steel bridge would appreciate from to per cent. per ear. As a matter of economy the E concrete bridge in the new location is | referable. The plan provides for a l entileyer draw. At Norwalk the cost f operation and light is about s25 a week.. but that bridge Is much larger nd the cost of operation greater than t the proposed Niantic bridge The iers of the old bridge are toterfng, nd the bridge is unsafe now. A tenil orary bridge would have to be erect d. near the old bridge to be rebuilt.
 Mir. Henderson asked if that bridge ould not be abandoned without any E erious public inconvenience Mf