Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-23
BIDS ASKEDF FOR NEW
BELT LINE BRIDGE
Structure Will Be Replaced or
ble-Trackcd in Connection
With Station Plans.
! GRADE NOW BEING LOWERED
Injunction Proceedings May De-
lay New Station. for Which
Bids Have Been Invited.

Eds viii bc Opened in tic next few
days by tho Richmond rredcricksburg
and Potomac and ,hc Atlantic CoaS,
Line Railroad Companies for the orcc.
zion Of a ncw steel bridge across tho
James River I" replace tho structure
now known as tho E"lt Line Bridge.
The structure. which will be butt
jointly by tho two railroads is a mar,
OF the general Improvement OF their
facilities in connection with tho croc-
'ion az tho now union station on West
Broad street. on the site or the old
Hermitage Golf Club
Two plans arc under consideration
b. engineers Of tho railroads but as
yet il has not been dchnitely decided
which plan will he followed in tho i'm
provement Of tho Belt Line around the
city. Officials OF the Richmond Fred.
ericks burg and Potomac Railroad Com.
pany said last night tina: there wa,
under consideration a plan for the
double tracking cf the present struc-
iurc.
To doublc-track the Bolt Line Bridge
as it stands to-day would require tho
building Of an addition TO tho s;rnc.
ture. The bridge is wide enough only
to accommodate one track The pres.
cnt structure Is said 10 be Of such
strength AS to handle cxcecdinSiv
heavy passenger traffic for which It
will be used upon the completion or
the new station. and an addition could
readily be built TO it. This plan would
also have the advantage of permitting
the continuation OF traffic over the
line without interruption.
PREFER NEW BRIDGE
SLIGHTLY ABOVE PRESENT ONE
The second plan discussed by tn,
engineers. and which it appeared yes-
tcrday would more bly, be agreed
upon. j. the construction OF an en-
,;rely new bridge slightly out OF line
with the present tracks. That the erec,
tion OF q new bridge was preferable,
was the statement made by railroad
officials. since a larger and some what
better structure could be built without
a much greater outlay. all advantages
considered. With solid rock bed
river bottom on which TO lay the foun-
dations. and with little difficulty antic,-
paied in securing a right Of way for
the removal OF the railroad tracks IA
slight distance TO the new structure. 1t
was the general belief that this course
would be adopted.
Another advantage in constructive
an entirely new structure. il vas
pointed out last night. is the fact that
traffic would not be Interrupted az any
time during construction work. while
IN building addition TO the old
bridge some delay must necessarily
arise at certain stages Of the work
ohlcials of both railroads are cS-
ceedingly anxious TO have the worl,
started on the new bridge at once that
~ may he carried out and completed
III connection with the lowering os the
Belt Line tracks and the extension 81.
Monument Avenue and other West Enc
streets across the railroad. which has
Deeh in progress for several months
AZ least one year will be REQUIRED
20 erect the bridge. and the railroads
are making efforts to get construction
Work under way at once
several local contractors are under
stood TO he considering submitting pro-
poSals FOR the work. for which the At.
lantlc Coast Line Railroad last week
ISSUED inquiries in the steel trade Tor
from 1000 10 5000 tons OF steel
likewise are the plans for the new
union station progressing but the
recent disagreement among certain
stockholders OF the Richmond Fred
crlcksburG and Potomac Railroad Com
pahE TO allow that road to disnos. OF
lis half-interest III the Eyrd street
station property to the Coast Line
threatens to delay this project On.
ciais OF the former road said last
night Sihat they knew OF no further
deFe!opmcnts in the matter
l.anGoourne NJ. Williams has mil
mated that he would seek injunction
proceedings to prevent the transfer of
the haif-intercs; in the property in
event that the directors attempted to
carry out their plan. The entire mat
Ter has been laid before The state
corporation Commission. hut no action
has been taken
should an Injunction hc Granted
officials said last night. it would mean
the cessation OF all work looiling to
the construction OF the nov station.
In the meantime. they ar. carrying ont
certain work tina; has been started on
improving The grounds in aud around
the station site
BIDS FOR NEW STATION
TO BE OPENED SHOKTI.,
l:ids for the station building proper
have been invited hv the two railroads
and Will he opened in the nest few
days. The contract for til" work
however. Viii not he awarded until all
OF the property required by the rail-
roads has been acquired Commits