Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1920-02-22
MAY DYNAMITE
TEMPE BRIDGE IN
EFFORT TO SAVE

F1OOQ-G1la ALSO Hlgn-
6 Feet Over Roosevelt
Dam
At O'Clock this morning the
Center street bridge was closed to
traffic. The water at that time
under the bridge was 10 feet above
normal. Water is flowing over the
approaches to the bridge, but the
bridge is said to be in no danger
of going out, as a crew of men is
keeping it free from debris.
The southern district of the city
was rapidly BEING flooded and men
from the sheriff's office were
warning residents to abandon their
homes.
At 2:15 this morning the water
was 10 feet over Joint Head. The
water over the spiliway at Roose-
welt dam was still rising. The
Verde is still rising.
With dynamite on hand with which
to blast out part of the great Tempe
bridge if necessary in an effort to save
the whole, and with men constantly
on guard at each end of the structure
which already has developed terrific
sag and threatens to collapse, State
Engineer Maddox late last night stated
that he had done everything possible
in handling a critical flood situation
which threatens the valley and may
cause great damage before the water
subsidies All traffic over the Tempe
bridge has been suspended.
At an early hour this morning the
flood situation in the valley was still
serious, with the water in the Salt
rxer rising steadily and the Gila on
a rampage
Latest reports from the power house
at Roosevelt stated that a torrent of
six feet of water was pouring over the
dam, and that three feet of water COW
cred the floor of the power house. The
water over the spillways was then ris-
ing at a rate of six inches an hour.
Warn Residents
Late yesterday afternoon five feet of
water was going over Granite Reef
and nine feet over Joint Head With
% feet of water in Fossil Creek and
the Verde river at flood, it is the hope
held out that this great head of water
passes before the ever-increasing crest
of water rushing over Roosevelt Dam
reaches the valley. If it does not there
is every danger of a flood of consider
able proportions today, it is declared.
Advised early of the possible danger
city, runners were sent out from the
sheriff's office, advising those residents
to be prepared to vacate their homes,
if necessary. The city sent a force of
men TO the old Wilson dixie east of the
city. A force of men were sent to the
county warehouse where a boat, loaded
On trick, was in readiness for emer-
gency
Reports from the Central avenue
bridge shortly after midnight last night
four and one-halG4 feet under the
Thanksgiving flood The water at the
Tempe bridge was at the same height
1t was still rising, but not fast
Railroad Bridge Goes Out
The railroad bridge over the Aqua
T7t-ic har hi
went out yesterday in the flood. This
is the third time this winter that the
bridge has gone out.
The greatest danger from the flood
is not expected to materialize until
today.
No alarming reports have been re-
ceived from Cave Creek.
Santa F'e passenger trains bound for
Phoenix were turned back to Prescott
on account o thigh water beyond
Wickenburg.
The damage resulting to the big
bridge over the Salt river at Tempe
cannot be estimated at this time. Large
abutnent piers support it at the north
and south ends, while two piers of
lesser proportions do their part in
pier next to the abutment pier on the
north end is sinking and threatening
TO pull the whole bridge superstructure
into the river Whenever the emer-
SeHcy petoIiitS desperate, EnS1neor
Maddox says, the sinking, pier will be
dynamited in the hope that the super
structure of the whole bridge will hold
together without it.
Tempe Bridge Nine Years Old
The bridge was built nine years ago
under designs by the territorial engi-
neer and finished by a former state
engineer. Maddox speaks highly of
the work The fc.ulty pier is supposed
to be standing on bed rock, but Il
was placed under stress of difficult
conditions. and there is a possibility
that the rocks it stands upon may
prove to be merely superficial and
now sliding from position. If the pier
stands on bedrock, as supposed Mad
dock says, then it is possible that
faulty construction or material is caus-
ing it to disintegrate at the base. The
state engineer says condition of the
pier cannot be determined at this time
and that anything might hapne2-the
bridge might go out at the present
water stage. it might hold until
higher stage of water. or it might stand
everything that comes.
No alarming symptoms were noted
in the bridge until the flood of Thanks
giving night, 1919, at which time the
faulty pier sank five inches. Since
then it has sunk one-fourth of an inch
more, and the present high water mark
is considered extremely dangerous for
poses all sorts of strains that never
were intended in the original calcula-
tions Engineer Maddox says the
present condition is one of the finest
Illustrations of elasticity of concrete
that he ever saw
Prefers to Dynamite.
A suggestion was made for cutting
the bridge superstructure apart at
points midway on the center arch and
north arch, in order to allow the fall
ing pier to sink without taking more
than the halves of two arches with it.
hut Maddoc< says the plan might go
askew in case the sinking pier and
martial load should fall over and wreck
everything at hand He prefers the
dyna mite exoedient, by which the CEN
ter and north arches viii remain In
tact with one good anchorage apiece
CONTINUED on Page II, Section p