Great Falls tribune., 1921-01-28
THE NEW BRIDGES.

THE TRIBUNE wishes to ex.
! press the opinion that there
is considerable loose talk being
distributed around Great Falls in
regard to the two concrete bridges
that have just been constructed
across the Missouri river at First
avenue north and at Tenth street.
We say 'loose talk" because so far
rs we have observed the more OF
less flippant criticisms that are
afloat do not appear to point out
where anybody has done anything
wrong, or where anything has gone
wrong through negligence or wrong
intention on the part Of anybody,
or where any unsatisfactory thing
has arisen in connection with these
bridges except, perforce, of trying
circumstances that could not have
been avoided. War times and con-
ditions made it almost impossible
to build these bridges at all. War
hindrances introduced the same
difficulties into like construction
Of every kind that was carried for
ward during the war period.
We hear statements that appear
to be based rather upon current
gossip than Investigation to the ef-
feet that the Tenth street bridge
was carelessly located and in the
wrong place anyway. Perhaps
these declarations are correct. Per-
haps they are not. At any rate, It
remains to be said that Tenth street
was finally selected for this bridge
after days and weeks Of consid-
Grafton, and following conferences
that were participated in by the
State Highway commission, the
board Of county commissioners,
representative Of the Montana
Power company, committee from
the city council and committee of
citizens. Taking into considera-
ton the configuration of the river
and the probable growth OF Great
Falls during the next twenty years,
it was believed that thoroughfare
coming down from Ninth or Tenth
streets would enable general trav-
cling from the business portion Of
the city to reach Little Chicago
and the smelter with the least pos
sible aggregate number Of miles OF
travel. That surely was the proper
test. If the judgment arrived at
was well-founded, then the conclu-
sion was correct. In this connec-
ton, it was found necessary to Sc
cure other than grade crossings
over two railway lines. This was
a difficult thing to do. 1t took
many conferences by practically
the same committees with railway
officials and the Townsite COM
pany to finally discover roadway
with acceptable grades over the
Great Northern and under the Mil
waukee roads. To be sure these
crossings are costing the city and
the railway companies bunch OF
money. There should be no COM
plant about this fact provided
proper construction is carried
through and unless someone knows
of other crossings that would be
equally adequate and could be built
for less money. One thing is sure.
If Great Falls is to grow these rail
roads had to be crossed some time
or other and it would probably
cost thousands of dollars more
money to bring about such an i'm
provement after the location OF
many other factories and the lay
ing out Of other side tracks incl
dent thereto. So it would be prop
er for someone to present deti-
mite and better plan for these
crossings before further criticism
upon this point is given to the pub
lie. Aside from the financial diff
ficulties, it has been a long task
for the city to arrange with two
railway companies and to get this
work under way. 1t has surely
been some job to get anything OF
that kind to move along during the
last two years. We do not think
much complaint is justified because
these crossings are not ready for
use now.
So again, it is easy to be gener-
Gus with criticisms because the ap-
proaches are not in place now for
the Tenth street bridge. This has
been complicated mess to arrange
out who is who in a divi-
sion Of construction responsibility
and the consequent mixing of city
and county and federal aid funds.
It is a mighty sight easier to find
fault than it is to do it. 1t doesn't
make much difference just how
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