The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-14
RUMOR new
BRIDGE FOR
ALL TRAFFIC
Senate Appropriation May
Be Starter of Double
Decking.

Long-current rumors of plan for
he establishment of an entirely
lew traffic link between Rock Is
and and Davenport assumed SEN
if not tangible form today
rom Congressman w. ]. Graham's
elegram to Mayor H. NJ. SchriveI
hat the senate subcommittee or
would include an
tenn of $141, 900 for repair of the
Rock Island arsenal bridge.
If this appropriation means be-
,inning of the rumored plan its re-
Iult might be:
Double-decking of the Rock
Island Lines bridge at Twenty
ninth street to conform with
the Rock Island bridge from the
Iowa shore to the main island.
Diversion of all traffic from
the Twenty-fourth street bridge
to Thirtieth street
Routing of the Lincoln high
way through Rock Island and
across the new bridge.
Practical isolation Of Rock
Islands business district in
consequence, if the rumors are
true.
Condemnation Of the Twen-
ty-fourth street viaduct-not
from any danger of the struc-
ture, but because it fails to give
clearance to the new and large
type of engines being used by
the Burlington and Milwaukee
lines.
Construction of the double-decl
bridge across the Sylvan waters tC
accommodate all traffic has beer
'umored several months. Work be-
,un a few weeks ago upon piers OF
he bridge 'fto strengthen it for
leavier loads" as the engineers ex-
renewed this talk and gave
to the first stories OF
he improvement. Senate appropri-
tion of S141 900 for bridge work,
is now said, is in line with agree
nent between the Rock Island
lines and the government to fulfill
his traffic program. The Rock Is
and, it is said, some time ago ac-
Iuired property from Twenty-ninth
o Thirty-f1rst street, in anticipation
f this change and the government
will be payment OF
Is share of the improvement.
Double-Deck Bridge.
The proposed double-deck bridge
will be 80 feet high, it is said. It's
over deck will provide traffic
Tay for pedestrians, autos, wagons
nd street cars. The upper deck
Eill be right-of-way for the Rock
sland Lines.
Establishment of this traffic
elm will mean that all Davenport
ound passengers will have choice
ither of the ferry or journey to
'wenty-ninth street. Its affect,
lock Island mercantile interests
yarn, will be to isolate the present
usiness district of the city from
be tri-cities.
Problems of the Twenty-fourth
treet bridge has not been solved,
ven in the rumors which gained
ride circulation today. On one
hing only were they agreed-the
iaduct if condemned is because il
oes not give sufficient clearance
0 the new type of Burlington and
engines and its further
sc will be determined by the gov
rnment- Condemnation of the
tructure is, no reflection upon its
apacity to bear present traffic
oads-it is as strong today as the
ay it was opened-but it is inter-
erence with railroad traffic that
to rumor, has been OBJ
ect of strenuous protests in Wash
ngton.
The whole plan, it is said, con-
lectS up with the late attempt to
Iivert the Lincoln highway to the
ri-cities. The project of putting
his community on the Lincoln
highway is enthusiastically hailed
n Rock Island but there is objec-
ion to winning the highway at
ost of the city's business center.
The Twenty-fourth street bridge
will require 45-degree angle at
fifth avenue and Twenty-fourth
treet and the widening of the
treet to accommodate the traffic.
Text of the Graham telegram
vas: Have conferred with Senator
Vadsworth of the senate appro-
,riation subcommittee and he as
ures me that item of $141 900 to
epair Rock Island arsenal bridge
will be inserted by the senate"
No Information Here.
The telegram conveyed no further
of the nature of the
improvement and inquiry
t Rock Island arsenal revealed
hat Colonel D. NJ. King. commar d.
mt, had not received official ad-
ice of the proposed improvement.
In view of the objection to the
-iaduct clearance it was suggested
hat the appropriation will provide
und for the elevation of the TWEEN.
y-fourth street bridge and thus
olive problem of the railroads.