New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-01-02
Concrete Structure on Com.
monwealth Avenue. Near
Stanle, Street. Swept
From Foundation.

Thousands af dollars damage re-
suited from the torraRlial dawnpauF
Of rain that lasted for several hours
yesterday morning and In the early
afternoon, the storm water sewer sgs-
TEN being OyeFtaKed 10 such an extent
that there were numerous washnnts,
cellars an over the city being flooded,
while bridges ana highways in SEC
tiens Of the city where the land is
low, were inundated throughout the
day ana evening,
The most serious damage resulted
from the washing away Of a concrete
bridge Oh Commonwealth avenue
near Stanley street. The structure
was erected by Z, c, Kilbaurne ani
others IN connection with deeyl0p-
ment Of this section Of the city and
was only recently reinforced BIZ the
city, IN addition 20 wreeking the
bridge. the Hood tore up about IS
feet OF sidewalk on the east side and
about 20 feet on the west side Of the
street. making foot and vehieular
traffic through the street impossible.
City Engineer Joseph n, williams rs.
timated today that the eos, OF renlae,
ing the bridge would he approximately
$4,000,
The board az public works made
arrangements today for n temporary
bridge Of wood 20 span the road about
ib feet This will make 1t possible
for vehicles 20 pass through until
such time as weather will permit OF
the construction OF a new bridge.
Fences will be placed along both sides
Of the bridge and across the struc-
ture 70 prevent accidents.
Lake Near hnwood Street
In the Linwood and Monroe street
section OF the city. several acres OF
land were covered with water, giving
this locality the appearance of lake.
Cellars nearby were damaged by
floods. Bridges were covered with
water and traffic was tied up for sew
eral hours.
The rush OF water down Stanley
street toward Gaffney's bridge was of
such force that an embankment on |
the north side of the highway was
torn away for a distance of about % |
feet and hole about 10 feet deep re-
suited. The state highway depart
ment had ploughed the snow along
the highway casting it up on both |
sides of the street. The bank of |
frozen snow and ice held the water |
for a distance of several hundred feet |
and when 1t finally broke through it
came with such violence that the en-
bankment was quickly washed away.
The police department was notified /
of the dangerous condition and Street !
Superintendent Joseph Scheidel plac-
ed a warning lantern near the gaping
hole.
Flood at Towers Corner
The rush of water from South and
South Main streets overtaxed the
manhole at Towers corner and the
lowland was soon covered with water
so deep that trolley traffic had to pe
suspended.
Along the Swamp road the tracks
and highway were covered to a depth
of several inches Trolley service was
afforded from the Berlin depot to the
end of the line and from New Britain
center to Towers corner, but between
the city line and the depot no cars
passed for q period of several hours.
Willow Brook park, near the town
line. was a miniature lake for the
greater part of the day and as the
water gradually flowed off it re-
sembled sea of mud.
The Allen and Wells street bridges,
constructed this year by the board of
public works. held up well. suffering
no damage from the storm. although
both were completely covered with
water at times.
Storekeepers along Main street and ;
elsewhere, principally confectioners,
suffered from the loss of materials :
that were watersoaked in a number
Of instances.
City Engineer Williams and Street :
Scheidel made tour
IF inspection about the city at noon {