Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-10-26
BIDS TO BE CALLED FOR
ON DEATH CROSSING
IMPROVEMENT
ENDS LONG DELAYS
TOWNSHIP, COUNTY AND RAIL
WAYS WILL PAY COST OF
STRUCTURE - SPECIFICATIONS
NOW IN HANDS OF SUPERIN.
TENDENT FARNSWORTH.

Plans for the proposed bridge to
eliminate death crossing" just west
of the city have been turned over to
County Superintendent of Highways
Farnsworth Dy state Bridge Engin-
eer G. f. Burch. A meeting of the
county officials the township officials,
the Rock Island and the c., o. & P.
officials, who will Jointly build the
structure, will he called for the lat.
ter part OF the week, by Engineer
Farnsworth.
Working plans for the erection of
the bridge will be planned at this
meeting, and 1t will be decided upon
Just What arrangements will be made
for the letting OF the contracts, and
giving out of the work.
Work Begins On Hill.
The proposed STRUCTURE is to start
we'll up Mcriarty hill and to bridge
across the Rock Island tracks, the
Illinois and Michigan canal and the
G.. O. q p tracks.
The structure win be built of steel
and concrete and will he built at an
estimated cost of S35 900
Unless the plans of the superinten-
dent Of highways Office and the state
engineers office miss fire, the bridge
will be entirely completed by spring.
Engineer Farnsworth stated today
that the cement work on the struc-
ture was large enough that they
could be well protected for winter
work. and he saw no reason why con
struction could not be started and
pushed through during the late fall
and winter
Caused Many Tragedies.
4Moriarty hill crossing has been the
scene of numerous accidents and Is
one of the most dreaded highways
In this part Of the state. On March
IL. 1920, Albert Windus, Ernest Win
dus and Harold Hallowell were killed
when the truck in which they were
riding was struck by two Rock Isl
and trains.
On Aug, 27 of this year the Hud-
son auto in which Mr. and Mrs. T. j..
Macarthur of River Forest were riding
was struck and Mr.. and Mrs Near
thur were killed by a c., o. & p car
A son,in-law was seriously injured
in that accident.
Financing Is Arranged,
All terms regarding its construc-
tion have been agreed upon by the
state, county and township authori-
ties and the two railroad companies.
1t has taken long, long time to
bring all parties tC thinking along
the same line; yards and yards of
tape have been unsnarled, and possi-
bly some selfish interest have had to
be placated, but the end seems now
to be in sight except for the actual
construction work which, it is claim
ed, may yet be accomplished before
winter sets it. The descent of the
hill from the west is little short Of
abrupt and the utmost caution Is re-
ulired on the part of all drivers max
ing the descent, for short distance
above the foot Of the hill sharp turn
in the road takes the traveller direct
ly upon the Rock Island tracks.
Across these there is a steep incline
to the high bridge over the canal.
then down grade again upon and
across the interurban tracks. Per
sons travelling in either direction
have no clear view of either railroad
and most if not all of the accidents
which have occurred on this short
stretch of road have been occasioned
by the travellers not being able to
see the approach of the cars.
c., o. & p. Ordered to Help.
Some months ago when the county
the town of ottawa and the Rock Isl
and company agreed to go ahead with
the work of constructing an over
head crossing for the railroad and
canal 1t seemed as though there would
be no necessity for delay. But the
state authorities had to be consulted
because of the public character o.
the work and finally the necessity OF
bringing the interurban company in
to the deal became apparent and the