The Republican journal., 1920-01-29
Why the New Bridge at Belfast
Should be Built on the Site of the Present
One
10 The Republican Journal:

10 The Republican Journal:
{ In your issue of the oath inst, appear
ed an article entitled Protest Belfast
Bridge Location" AS it seemed that
this article might occasion a political
discussion and thereby cause delay,
which would defeat the whole PROPOSE
tion, it seems fitting to explain the situ-
alton as it is.
In the first place. we can have a $685.
600 structure at an expense of $685. 600 to
the taxpayers of Belfast by building on
the sit e of the present bridge. This has
been figured out by the State Highway
Commission with full knowledge of the
facts. 1t is safe to say that it will cost
no less than S55, 900, and, in addition to
this amount, Belfast pays about one
fourth of the whole county tax This
means that on the presen CT valuation of
the city, S3,30O,O0O, there would be an
increase of $40 per thousand over the
present tax which is S34 per thousand.
sand, which is about all the average tax
payer is able 70 pay.
If built at the foot of Main street in
addition to at least S100, 900 for construc-
tion would be added the cost of heavy
land damages and much increased cost
of upkeep, besides the laying out of a
new street on the east side from the shore
to Searsport avenue.
1t is question as TO whether the State
and Federal Government would pay this
proportionate cost of a 1915, 900 bridge.
1t not, the bridge would be entirely out of
the question. If the same terms are
available for 1915, 900 bridge, this would
make the proportionate part for Belfast
to pay SIS, 900, which would increase the
tax to about SOS per thousand. If the
extra Sl00, ZOO should fall upon the city
obviously the tax rate would be S1OO per
thousand.
The committee appointed to decide on
the location of the bridge was made I'D
of the leading business men and largest
/ Taxpayers of Belfast They entered
upon their duties with practically a
unanimous opinion that Main st. was
the best location, one of the members
saying that he would pay at least $1,000
in addition to his taxes for the extra
convenience it would be to him to have
the bridge at Main st. They were ac-
companied by the State Highway engi-
neer. They consulted plan of the har-
Dor and found that the channel at the
Main St. location was 800 ft. wide and
% #. leep and that this would necessi-
tate 700 it. of steel structure, owing to
the fact that concrete structure would
require the piers to be built so near to-
gether as to make it impracticable. II
is matter of common knowledge thai
the steel necessary could not be procured
for long space of time. The life of a
! steel bridge is about sixty years, while a
concrete bridge lasts indefinitely. Be-
/ sides steel bridge calls for a large an
nual expense for upkeep. After ascer-
tanning the above facts the committee
was unanimous in its decision that the
old location is the only feasible one.
By proceeding at once the plans can be
submitted and the work of building the
| bridge can be entered upon early this
spring. Whereas if the whole matter il
put over to the annual election with ths
indecision incidental to the spring cam.
paign, Belfast will probably lose its op.
portunlty to have concrete bridge, as i
has so often lost opportunities in the past
While the traffic isn't so much at thu
foot of Main street, there would still be {
blind crossing surrounded by building.
which would necessitate a traffic police
man, besides man to tend the draw
Wherever the bridge is located hills mus
be encountered. The blind turn near tn,
present bridge can be taken care of eithel
by bridging the railroad or changing tn,
angle of the present road. If the cit,
completes building the Belfast and Swan
vile road and the State builds the Sears
port road the coming summer the traffic
would necessarily go over the uppe
bridge which will have to be mantaine,
In any event.
While a bridge at Main street woult
convenience some people it would be O
inestimable damage to others, as prop
erty owners who are now on the mail
highway would find themselves at tn
end of the road and their property great
ly reduced in value for that reason.
Therefore it seems certain that w
can have bridge on. the old site if we q