Evening journal., 1919-12-10
engineer news
NOTES bridge
Professional Publication
Gives Extended Article on
Washington St. Structure
DETAILS CONTEST
TO OBTAIN DESIGN

An Interesting article on the Wash
ingion street Bridge Commission and
The plans for the structure over No
Brandywne at Washington Street Is
contained In tho current issue Of the
Eng eer News RECORD. published ~
New York. The article lays particular
stress upon The method 0f competition
by which an engineer was selected TO
dcsign Che bridge 10 says in part:
Five engineers were each paid $500
by the Washington Street Bridge Com
mission, 40 Wilmington, Del, for de-.
Signs. plans and estimates FOR a pro-
posed memorial bridge in that city. As
a result, one OF ihc engineers. b. H..
Davis Of New York City. Is selected
TO prepare ln3l plans OF The bridge II
is expected that bids for the consiruc-
ton win be opened before The end OF
the year.
The Washington Street Bridge Com
mission was created by an act OF the
General Assembly ~ Delaware during
IT'S last session. and received aulnor.
and power 90 construct q b".dgc across
Brandywine Greek az Washington street
In the City OF Wilmington The Com
mission consists Of Alfred l. dupont
chairman; B. +. shaw. J. s. Rossel. I.
G.. Elliott and Albert Sietscr. After
formal organization OF the commission.
Frederick W. Carpenter, formerly d.
vision engineer in charge OF conslruc-
ton Of the seventh division OF the
dual subway system. Puddle Service
Commission. New York City, was Sc
lcctcd as execute officer and consulting
en- SINGER.
Competitive general plans and esti-
mates were invited May Pc. 1919 The
invitation indicated the general charac-
ter 90 be given 90 the proposed slruc-
iure. the width Of the roadway and
Sidewalk. as well as the loading and
stresses IN specific terms Competi-
tors were required 30 submit with their
estimates a schedule OF quantities and
unit prices and total costs OF the vsrl-
Gus classes OF materials entering into
the construction Of the bridge. the
limit 81 total expenditure in connection
with the erection OF the bridge being
SJO0O00 Competitors were required al
so TO submit with their plans and es,i-
mates. photographs Of structures that
they had designed with their location
also a list OF references and a proposal
for engineering work involved In Tho
preparation OF detailed plans. specifca-
lions and supervision Of construction Of
the bridge. The time set FOR The sub
mission Of these plans and estimates
war July 4 and a fee. as above stated
OF $500 was named as full payment for
suitable studies and estimates In ac-
nn~naurn ttfifh tho Invitation
"The invitation was sent 10 six de
signing engineers and architects in var
ious parts Of the country. Five re-
sponded and submitted, collectively, 20
! different des gns. To each DESIGNER was
given a hearing by the commission
subsequent 20 the submission OF his
designs. After careful consideration OF
the designs and estim9 les. the Com
mission July 90. invited an The de-
signers who had accepted the original
invitation 10 submit on or before Aug.
i3 reN plans and estimates for a stone
bridge or a combined stone and con-
crete bridge Those who had already
submitted plans providing for stone
treatment were permitted to submit
any alterations IN their plans and estl-
mates which lhey might desire 10
make.
ION this basis some additional de-
signs ard notifications Of designs were
submitted. On Aug 81 the commission,
after further consideration and COM
parison Of the various des gns and
estimates, accepted the general de-
sign submitted by Benjamin II. Davis,
engineer. New York City in cOllabOra-
ton with Captain Vance w. Torbet,