Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1920-02-12
CITY COUNCIL 'SPRTEST
SAVES WEST SIDE PARK
Disappr0val of State Bridge Plans Brings Results
AS Madison Office Decides Not to Lengthen
New Structure Preserve Park
Grade to be 2 Per Cent.

Some writer or sage, or someone,
who was prophet in the dim ages of
the past promulgated this saying,
"That it is the unexpected that al
ways happens"
So, when the Common Council of
on February 3rd, and registered pro-
test against the plan Of construction
proposed for the new bridge, did they
do so with the hope of getting the of
ficials of the State Highway Office in
Madison to change the plans to meet
the approval of the council? No. no
and again no. But strange as it may
seem that commission did modify it's
plans to suit the councils ideas.
The council then were merely put
ting themselves on record, so that af-
ter the bridge was up, if it did not
please the eye of the average tax pay
er, the council would be blameless.
They also desired to save the 80 feet
of park at the west side that would
lengthening the bridge 80 feet.
Were Against Plans.
According to the plans originally
laid down by the state, the bridge was
to be extended on the west side 80
feet, to allow for the extra piers that
are to support the structure. Also the
bridge was to have been the same
height as at present and was to have
a grade of A per cent, that is to say
the center was planned to be feet
higher than the approaches. The al
dermen opposed the lengthening of
the bridge and wanted / per cent
grade.
VIII Alter Plans.
But the ancient prophet who pull
ed the ola saw quoted in the opening
paragraph, spoke the truth, as a let
ter received from M. w. Torkelson,
state bridge engineer will show.
Mr.. Torkelson, very readily agrees
that the present length of the bridge
will be alright provided the people
wish to assume what inconvenience
which may in the future arise from
high water. On the grade the COM
mission states that per cent slope
is essential, in their opinion
Following is Mr.. Torkelson's letter:
Madison, Wis, Feb Z, 1920.
Mr.. Chas. E. Briere Mayor,
! Grand Rapids, Wis.
Subject: Grand Rapids Bridge.
Dear Sir:-I have your letter of
Feb. 18th, with reference to the de-
sign of the above bridge.
1t appears to us that the question
of additional length of the bridge is
not one that affects the safety of the
structure in any way and the effect of
such construction as may be caused
will be no more than to increase
slightly the inconvenience that may
be suffered by the city in times of ex-
treme high water. We feel that if
your city is willing to assume this
there should be no objection whatever
on our part and therefore intend to
proceed in accordance with the re-
quest of the city council that the
existing length of the bridge be ad-
hered to-
We believe that the crown which we
propose for the bridge is necessary
for purposes of design, and desirable
and we therefore cannot see our way
clear to reduce the grade in accord
ance with your request. What we pro-
pose, however, is a very moderate
grade, less than two per cent, and we
do not believe that it will be in any
way Objectionable once built.
1t is our intention to proceed with
the design with the least loss of time
possible.
Yours Truly,
Wisconsin Highway Commission,
NJ W. Torkelson, Bridge Engineer