Evening journal., 1919-09-30
WANT OLD B. & 0.
bridge OPENED
{ amber of Commerce
Urges Levy Court to
Act at Cnce
STATE APPROPRIATIONS
OF $4,000 FOR WORK


Brsndywne into good condition for pc
destrian and vehlcular traffic, was re-
quested today by the Chamber OF Com
merce. The state Legislature has ap-
propriated $4,000 for this bridge i'm
provement. The court seemed Inclined 10
favorable and prompt action this morn
ing. The court bridge committee viii
confer with a Chamber OF Commerce
committee later.
4 large delegation from the Chamber
of Commerce waited upon the court this
morning relative to the case OF the
bridge. William p. White explained
briefly the purpose OF their visit, say
ing that with the imminent shutting
off OF the Washington street bridge, the
opening OF a traffic route over the old
q. and o. bridge was both needed and
desirable.
Thomas F. Bayard presented the mat
ter in detail TO the court. lie said The
delegation thought the putting OF the
old b. and o. bridge into usable con-
dtiOn would DO more TO build mp the
northwestern part OF the city than any
other possible Improvement that could
he made. lie referred 10 the S2J,OO0
appropriation made for thiS purpose by
the state Legislature.
Mr.. Bayard made the comment that
this permanent method OF crossing the
Brandywine was taken into account
when the county made the deal with
the 3. and O. railroad 10 leave the old
bridge under county control after erec-
tion OF the new railroad bridge. Al
that time. Mr.. Bayard said. the old
bridge was turned over 10 the county,
except for rails and ties. lie also re-
marked that this additional crossing OF
the Brandywine was certain TO come
in the future, and II accomplished now
would be a key to solve present traf-
nc difficulties.
Mr.. Bayard called attention 70 the
points that the bridge was sufficiently
provided with usable approaches on
both sides: and its use would relleNe
traffic and develop the city tremendous,
ly. lie spoke OF both the local ana
state demand for use OF the old Drldge.
Robert II. Richards asked why tle
old bridge had not been put into con,
dition for travel long ago. iie declared
IL a disgrace that the community nau
left this bridge in useless condition TOT
these years. adding that he meant no
reflection upon Levy Court ar the Whole
community WIGS at fault.
Isaac C.. Elliott president OF lie
court. at this point said he wlsiieG 10
caU attention TO the war CONDITIONS
that had prevented the court from even
keeping roads in repair during the Na..
Mr. richards continued that although
no realized the war handicap tle
Chamber Of Commerce ought TO nave
urged upon Levy Court long ago w
desirabiliiy Of improving the nrluse,
Thev should not have waited un'i W.
putiing of Washington street bridge cut
Of commission would leave only van
Burcn and Market street bridges aNsli-
able. He said the eXigencles aIlslns
out Of the present situation make u
necessary that the B. and y. bridge pe
now put into good condition. beslues'
ne considered II would give immediate
access 10 outlying territory not now III
direct touch with the city. The bridge
would need side rail protection as wen
as decking. and he thought II woulo
cost considerable TO do the work right
Mr.. Richards said he had commences
I'm the future Of Wilmington. lns
nermanent expansion, begun during the
war furnished another reason for the
bridge. he thought
Wilmington is going TO be bigger
CITY" he continued. III is bigger now
Tho boundaries already need extension
certain sections have been built up that
now ought 10 be put into the city
limits"
Alfred n. Warner, Jr.. president oi
the Chamber Of Commerce, said that
asaide from local traffic. there was
great demand for the bridge from
through traffic which made it essential
that something should be done 10 help
out the situation. lie said there was
one automobile to every three or four
families i'm the state, so that autom0-
bile travellers represented a pretty Dig
body Of citizens, and they would en-
dorse the bridge project. He said the
Chamber Of Commerce would be only
too glad to give any help in its power
and hoped that the Levy Court would
have the B. and o. bridge in shape Tor
travel by the time the Washington
street bridge should be dismantled.
Mr.. White spoke Of The economy OF
the move at this time, as it would save
the fine new paving on Delaware ave
rue from increased traffic. II only Mar
ket and Van Burcn street bridges
should be available.
Howard NJ Ward. OF the bridge com
mittee OF the Levy Court. said the
court had not lost sight Of the duties
incumbent upon u. lie said some plans
were now I'm the county engineers
office. as 10 decking, lighting and rail
ing for the old B. K O. bridge. on his
motion the Levy Court appointed the
bridge committee TO confer with a com
mittee from the Chamber OF Commerce.
Commissioner Albert Stetser is chair
man Of the bridge committee. with
Commissioners Ward and Shaw as
members.
The following communication was
presented TO the court by the Chamber
OF Commerce delegations.
The Chamber OF Commerce communi-
cation follows:
President and Members Levy Court Of
New Castle county, Wilmington,
Delaware:
YOUR honorable body, the desirability Of
making available for trafflc. the old B
& o. bridge over the Brandywine
Anticipating the closing OF the Wash
ington street bridge. for a long pcriod
during reconstruction. we urge upon
YOU the necessity Of providing adequate
facilities for handling the trsflc which
will be diverted therefrom without I'M
due congestion at the Market street /
bridge. thereby causing great incon-
venience to, business and TO the travel |
ing public.
we would respectfully request that
consideration OF this subject be given /