The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-24
Overwhelmir IS e n iment
Reveal PA a Large
| ~ Meeting
BRIDGE ENGINEERS
REPORTS PRESENTED
Present Wooden Structure
Considered in Poor
Condition

A city meeting last evening that
| filled all the seats in the body Of the
opera house and oyerfowed into the
gallery, by an overwhelming majority,
voted to sustain the action of q pre-
vious meeting to build granite arch
bridge over Jail branch on South Main
street So it seems certain that Barre
at last will erect a modern granite
bridge to replace the old wooden struc
ture, after the latter has been con
demned by several city engineers for
years past and after citizens have vot
ed three times within recent wears to
build new one.
The vote last night came on mo-
tion to postpone indefinitely action on
the article in the warning to rescind
the action of the meeting of Feb. 4
which voted IS to Sc to build a granite
arch bridge on South Main street.
| The meeting, one of the largest in
! the history of city affairs, was called
to order by City Clerk James Mackay,
who read the warming F. g. Rowland
was made chairman. +. r. Davis was
the first TO take action and he moved
the previous action be rescinded, which
was seconded William Barclay made
a motion which was quickly seconded
that action be postponed indefinitely
and the chair entertained his motion
over Mr. Davis Those who thought
the action at the meeting of Feb. was
hasty had plenty Of opportunity to
hear the question discussed from all
standponts last night and the majority
were found in favor of the granite
structure as evidenced by the standing
vote.
Mr.. Barclay, who, Judging from his
report, had put considerable time and
study into his Investigations. referred
to stone arch bridges still doing busi-
ness in many parts of the world, built
all the way from over 1000 years down
to so and less years and of the stability
of the same. He cited those near home
at Mortified and Northfeld Falls,
carrying the tracks of the Central Ner-
ment railroad, and on which, according
to the railways engineer, there was no
record of repairs being made. The
granite men, he said, had spent vast
sum of money to advertise our product
to the world and here at home we had
evidence of Barre granite in buildings,
in interior finish and monumental work
and why not show to the world that
the granite from our hills is equally as
good to build bridges of
Incorporated in Mr., Barclays inves-
tigations were the reports of three first
class engineers, City Engineer I. w.
Dix of Burlington. City Engineer D. ID.
SNYDER of Rutland and Prof. A. w,
Winslow of Norwich university, These
men, at the invitation of Mr.. Barclay,
examined minutely every part OF the
present bridge and based their reports
on a QUESTIONABLE given them by MIR.
Barclay which had the following four
questions: a. Is it safe for modern
trafficg t2l Ii So. about how many
wears, in your opinion, is it yet good
for? (3) What can be done at mod
crate cost to improve its condition and
increase its life? a. What would be
an approximate estimate for a walk
along the right hand side las you face
SOUTH for pedestrians, baby carriages,
etc.2 The reports were mailed to Mr..
Barclay and the summary Of each one
is given here:
Digests Of Engineers Reports.
Prof A. +. Winslow of Norwich uni.
versity-He claims the bridge Is not
safe for modern traffic Floor joists
fare under strength for lotion loads.
Rods holding lower chord members bad
ly rusted. Does not recommend adding
sidewalk TO present bridge and expect
the trusses to carry it. Suggests llght
independent bridge on down side of
stream to carry pedestrians. Does not
consider trusses quite safe for 10 tons
but feels present structure can be put
in shape to safely handle loads up To
that capacity at expense Of from $1,000
to $4,000
CITY Engineer r. W. Dix Of Burling-
iton-Declares the bridge is not safe
for modern traffic. Joists along lower
chord show evidences Of deCay-chiefy
in westerly truss. Where decay de-
yelops in such a structure it Is COM
monty more active in the interior Of
the Misunderstanding on the surface
last. There are a few members which
are split. warped, or twisted and one
showing the decay at point other
than a ioint-all being sources OF weak
ness. Planking, so far as could be eA-
amined from underside. in very bad
condition. The floor system unsafe Tor
loads exceeding three OF four tons:
Does not recommend the repairing ot
present structure but says It can be
done and made safe for 10 or l2-ton
loads al following cost; Removing pres
ent floor and stringers and rebuilding
same entirely new, 81 900; replacing
and renewing all such members show
ing signs Of decay, warping. splitting
81 other defects. 81 400. shingling root,e
$3.50. Does not favor adding sidewalk,
a. that would bring added load 10 west
erly truss which Is now the weaker
81 tie two An additional truss could
BE- placed parallel 20 west side; abut-
mc6ts and roof extended and sidewalk
built there at approximate cost ot
- 200; bridge should be raised. assuin-
ing the abutments 10 be- in fair ecndi-
ton. and additional height added 10
same. approximate cost. $500. concrete
aprons 10 shed water away from ends
of bridge. thus keeping floor dry dur
inc wet weather. approximate cost
$50. total. 81. 400. This would put
bridge IN good condition for 10 years
10 handle traffic conditions as thcy eN-
ist to-day-
CITY Fnrineer and COMMISSIONS q
pslhlir Works d. D SNYDER a kui-
land Reports excessive vibFation dur