Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-10-18

opened here this after
noon at the office of the
Department Of Public
Works and Buildings. by Director
frank l. Bennett. Superintendent w.
",okett and Chief Engineer N. G.
Barnes.
me firm of Green 4 Sons made
the lowest bid Sl.373, llj. While the
firm has its principal Offices in Chi.
cago, one OF the members, Robert
Green, is now Il resident OF Streator,
and before moving there resided for
many years in Ottawa.
Five bids We're received The low
bid is very close to the engineers es-
innate for the work The contract
will be awarded after state officials
have satisfied themselves as to the
ability of the bidders to go thru with
the contract Bids for the construc-
tion of the second lock, at Utica, and
masonry for the dam at Starved
Rock. will be opened November 22.
Other bids submitted We're those Of:
Witharspoon. Englar Co, of Chlca-
go and the Grant Smith Company Of
Chicago, $l.S25,659.
Oscar Daniels Co. Of Chicago,
S1,Gl0.5SS,
Thompson Black & Company, Chi
cago. $2,2G0,5l3
Bates 4 Rogers Construction Com
pany Of Chicago. Sl,54T ,152,
The letting provides that the con.
tractors are to start work within thir-
ty days from the date the contract Is
awarded.
Should successful bid be receiv.
ed, we hope to begin the work early
next spring" said Mr. Sackett, in dis
cussing the project.
While specifications have been
mailed to more than thirty contract
ors in the central states it is known
that a large number of the engineers
employed by contractors have refus.
ed to figure on the work, Their re-
fusals TO make estimates on the work
has been caused by difficulties en-
countered in getting heavy machine
ry on the ground,
Transportation Is Problem.
Engineers assert that the bridge
spanning the Illinois river at Mar
seilles is not strong enough to carry
the heavy cranes and digging outfits
that would be needed in the construc-
ton work. State engineers. realizing
that the structure over the Illinois
river at Marseilles is not very strong,
have requested a special appropria-
ton for a new bridge.
1t is believed that bridge. similar
to the type used by railroads would
have to be constructed and this would
have to withstand the ice gOrges that
form near Marseiles every winter.
The state engineers freely admit
that it will take at least two years
to erect the Marseilles lock.
THE cost of Transporting equip
ment is prohibtively high" said a
Joliet contractor in discussing the ad-
visibility in bidding on the work.
We have refraned from placing
bid for this reason. It is possible that
the successful bidder would have to
dismantlo his cranes and dredges in
moving them across the bridge at
Narseilles. ana even then ii is doubt
lul II me DIllEt NbUln NlluSlduu Tue
severe strain,
This fact that there viii be haul
of six miles for heavy machinery and
at least two miles on materials would
greatly delay contractor in getting
his equipment on the ground Unless
the state makes some provision for
the transportation of erecting mater
ials few contractors will bid on the
job he concluded
Mr.. Sackott, when interviewed by
a reporter. stated that the longest
haul would be two miles and believ-
ed that successful bid would be re.
ceiyed Monday
The land where the lock is to be
/ constructed has been purchased by
the state
/ Modelled After Panama Locks.
The lock will be 40 feet wide and
6O0 feet long and similar in construc-
( ion to the lock on the Panama canal
/ 1t will accommodate the large barges
used in the hauling OF ore and grain.
! The specifications for the locks
/ have been prepared under the direc-
/ ton Of VI. q. Barnes, an engineer, who
made the preliminary designs for
! locks on the Panama canal, The lock
/ will be built on dry land and the chan.
! mel cut to ii following its completion.