Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-03
WASHINGTON BRIDGE
PLANS DISCUSSED
Levy Court to Answer Commits
sion on Special Session Propo-
sition, Thursday.

Tho Levy Court today referred to the
committee of the whole request made
by the Washington Street Bridge Com
mission for sanction Of the proposed calling
of the General Assembly in special session
for the purpose Of authorizing an additional
bond issue for the construction Of the
Washington Memorial Bridge and prom.
iscd to reply to the request by o'clock
Thursday afternoon, when the bridge
commission will hold stated meeting
Bridge Commissioners Rossell and Shaw
appeared before the court
After describing preliminary work
Bridge Commissioner Rosscll said it had
been decided to make the width Of the
bridge 81 feet, instead Of 63, as originally
planned, SO AS TO provide for additional
traffic. He stated the development oil
the North Side had been wonderful in tho
last 25 years and will probably be great
in the next 25 years. The bridge com
mission bad not been indifferent to in
creased cost. 1t first had in view a con-
crete bridge costing $375,00O, but in
November, 1919, felt that the proposed
width should be greater. Ii had been
assured that $3.50, 900 would be sufficient
but now finds that $3.50, 900 is needed
Mr.. Rossell said how and where to get
He stated the bridge commission must
apply to the Legislature and requested
the courts sanction. He asked can oper-
atoms be postponed for a year, or is the
condition of the old bridge too dangerous
He said opinion concerning the condition
of the bridge differs and remarked that
IF it cracks little that will he all right
but if it breaks with large number of
persons and great traffic thereon that will
be disastrous" With the condition of
the bridge in view he thought the court
would be justified in borrowing money and
levying tax. He suggested that the
State Highway Department assist and
asked the court to plan what it can do nd
what it should do.
Bridge Commissioner Shaw expressed
more concern for accommodating traffic
across the Brandywine after the old bridge
is torn down than IN its present condition.
He said 5000 persons cross the bridge
daily and if provision is not made for
traffic after the old structure is removed
there will be hot time in the old town.
He thought new bridge should have been
put at Market street first.
County Engineer Grubb stated Wash
ington street bridge has been restrength-
ened at a cost of Sl5, 900 and, with patch
ing, the present floor Will last two years.
The condition of the bridge is uncertain,
but he was not afraid of it falling.
Levy Court Commissioner Shaw spoke
of necessary delay in reassembling the
Legislature and said 80 days notice would
have to he gwen of an election to fill the
vacancy caused by Senator Webster 5
death.
Bridge Commissioner Rossell hoped the
L II.
from the court by Thursday afternoon.
He stated the court has control of the
present bridge and should not take any
chances.
Levy Court Commissioner Elliott said
the court would be warranted in employ
ing experts TO ascertain the condition of
the bridge.
The court recessed until this afternoon,
when it will meet in committee of the
whole to consider the bridge commission s
request.