The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-05-01
TO BUILD NEW BRIDGE 12O
FEET IN HEIGHT
Conowingo Dam Is Expected To
Be Beauty Spot

Be Beauty Spot
John N. Mackall, chairman OF the
State Roads Commission, announces
agreement has been reached as to
the new bridge across the Susque-
hanna river, at Conowingo, made
necessary by the construction OF
the proposed immense dam for the
$52,O0O,O00 power project at that
point.
Mr.. Mackall made this statement
after conference with Luther M. X.
Willis, counsel for the Susquehanna
Power Company, at which it was
agreed. that the power company
would construct new bridge for the
State across the crest of the great
DAM,
The new bridge will replace the
present structure at Como W lingo.
which will be flooded by the dam.
A few weeks ago tentative plans
were made for the State to accent q
lump sum for the cost OF a new
bridge to be erected below the dam.
Thursday last it was agreed that
location of the bridge across the dam
itself would be more economical ana
more satisfactory in every way.
The new bridge will be almost q
mile and .one-eighth long, twenty
feet wide and ten feet above the
dam and teeter gates, which are to
oe lilo feet high, it was announced.
After the conference Mr.. Mackau
pointed out that the bridge, which
would connect the State highway
system in Hartford and Cecil coun-
Ties, would attract tourists from
great distances to view the l2O-foot-
nigh bridge.
On one side of the bridge will
be the immense reservoir created by
the dam," he said. Below will be
the waterfall and on the other side
tourists will view the rapids below
the great dam.
Niagara Falls only will eclipse
the Conowingo drive when the bridge
and the dam are completed.
An agreement containing provi-
s1ons for the reconstruction OF State
roads destroyed by the dam, for the
construction of the bridge approach
either above or below the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad tracks in Cecil
county and for the supervision OF
such work by the State Roads Com
mission will be submitted in docu-
mentary form by Mr.. Willis within
few days.
Mr. Mackall, in the meantime. will
ask the Attorney-General for an
opinion on the lease Of the bridge
offered by the power company to
the State. This lease gives the use
OF the bridge to the State for the
nominal sum of 81 year.
The lease is effective during the
life of the construction license to be
granted by the Federal Water Power
Commission. The Federal license is
for fifty years. At the expiration OF
this lease the Federal Government
can purchase the power project at
cost or can renew the lease to the
power companies. In event the
Federal Government purchases the
property, the State will have the
use Of the bridge without the ex-
pense of maintenance. Sa
State roads to be constructed by
the power companies will be decided
to the State outright, Mr.. MackalI
said.
Construction on the dam will be
started as soon as applications of the
power companies are granted by the
Public Service Commissions Of Mary
land and Pennsylvania and the Fed
eral Waterpower Commission.
The Maryland and Federal COM
missions concluded hearing ON the
project several months ago. It was
agreed that no action should be
taken until Pennsylvania is ready to
act. The Pennsylvania hear n gs,
which were started in early March,
are expected to be concluded within
few days. At that time the three
commissions will enter joint con-
ference on the project and will an
nounce their decisions.