Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-09-01
STATE BRIDGE
NOT TO CLOSE
State Engineer Wasser De-
MES Rumor That Span Will
be Closed Next Week.
WILL BE REPAIRED
New and Heavier PIanking
Will be Laid in About 2
Weeks Time

The state bridge over the Raritan
Amboy will not be closed while re-
pairs are being made this fall.
This statement was made today by
State Engineer Thomas Wasser. he
emphatically denying all rumors and
reports to the effect that the bridge
would be closed as result of new
planking being laid. These reports.
which have been current throughout
the summer, seemed to gain impetus
during the early part of this week
and the business men of the city be-
gan to consider calling a protest
meeting tonight for the purpose of
keeping the bridge open.
Wasser Assures People
Hearing these insistant rumors the
Evening News this morning got in
touch with the State Highway De-
partment at Trenton and Engineer
Wasser personally was questioned as
to the possibility of the bridge be-
Ing closed. He said that everyone
should be assured that the bridge
would not be closed during replank-
Ing although short delays would be
likely owing to part of the bridge
being torn up in order that the old
planking might be replaced.
Work i'm Two Weeks
Mr.. Wasser said nothing would be
done in the way of repairs upon the
bridge until after Labor Day. AS
result the heavy shore traffic over
the holiday will not be held up while
crossing the bridge. He expects,
however, he added, to start the new
planking work late next week or the
week following. The planks which
will be laid on the bridge will be
considerably heavier than those now
In use and are being shipped to this
locality from the south.
When the replanking work is
started, Mr.. Wasser pointed out,
there will be slight delay of several
minutes experienced by cars cross
Ing the bridge. owing to the neces-
sity of one way traffic past the spots
where the planking Is being re-
placed. This work will be carried
on until the entire length of the
structure has been replanked. the
engineer declares and 1t Is possible
that the work will not be completed
W Will BE in Good Shape
Upon completion, Mr.. Wasser
said the bridge will be In a better
condition than II has for the past
few years. He could not explain
how the rumors of its being closed
started. he said, but was Of the opin-
lon that someone had heard of the
intentions to start replanking and
took for granted that this work
could not be done without closing
the entire bridge to traffic.
Owing to the dilapidated condi-
tzla III nj
this summer reports have been
spread that the state highway de-
partment contemplated closing the
structure. Some of the heavier
trucks plying between New York and
the farming districts have ceased to
use the bridge. fearing that the
planking would not hold the weight
of the truck and cargo. The owners
of these trucks have been in the
habit of making numerous calls 10
the EVENING NEWS before start
Ing on a trip to learn whether or
not the bridge had been closed to
traffic.
Plan Protest Meeting
These reports. heard constantly
by local business men. began to take
a firm hold and when a rumor. ap-
parently from a reliable source, was
started this week stating that the
entire bridge was to be closed for re-
pairs, the merchants were up In
arms and Immediately began TO ar
range protest meetings and make an
effort to have the bridge kept open.
Mr.. Wassers statement should set al
ease all of those who have feared
such a closing.
Prepare for Traffic Rush
In order to be prepared for the
rush OF heavy automobile traffic over
the weekend and holiday the Staten
island Rapid Transit railroad placed
two boats on the route between this
city and Tottenville this morning
The ferryboat Tottenville. which Is
kept at the Perth Amboy Dry DOCK
pier during the week was brought
out this morning and viii remain In
service until Tuesday or longer u
the travel permits. The real rush OF
machines to the sea shore over the
holidays is expected TO start tomor-
low.
CARD OF THANKS