The Bismarck tribune., 1925-08-12
York on WillistOn and Sanish
Bridges, Begun in Spring.
Completed Early in August;
Soundings Completed After
Battle With Current

Unusual engineering difficulties
were surmounted in making the
soundingS for the two new bridges
which viii be built across the Mis-
sour river by the state with the AID
Of county and federal funds, accord
ing to reports of the engineers IN
charge received at the state high
way department.
The work was begun early IN
spring and was finished August /" IN
time to permit the department 10
draw plans and obtain bids TINS iaii
so that the work can begin next WIN
ter or spring.
Drill Holes in Bed
Because Of the treacherous nature
of the river bottom and the fact that
without a good foundation the
bridges might be washed away 1t
was necessary 70 drill holes IN the
river bed at both Wllliston ana
Sanish Accessibility 10 existing
roads and the height of the banks
also were factors since the bridges
were constructed at a low bank and
the road leading to 1t might be
flooded during high water.
The equipment with which the
drilling was done was loaded on two
baryes, each nine by 20 feet In dl-
mension.
The first difficulty was to keep
them in position IN the river while
the drilling was IN progress. steam
was used for power and lignite coal
for fuel, but heavy rocks and cast
lngs used as anchors, were constant :
ly pulling loose from the bottom ana
allowing the workers TO drift away
4 -
Use Ship Anchors
Finally two ship anchors, each
weighing 400 pounds. were obtained
from dismanteled government
dredge at Williston and helped solve
the problem. Even with these, how
ever, trouble was experienced. They
would hold firm for hours and then
the shifting of the bottom SANDS
would loosen them. At other times
they would become so overlaid with
sand that it was impossible to bulge
them when it came time to move the
scows. In such eases the sand was
forced away from the anchors by
hydraulic pressure from pipe
which was run into the tenacious
sand bank, but one was never moved
and the hawser was cut.
Encounter NOdl
The materials encountered by the
drillers were first fine sand, ana
then coarser sand and gravel, small
bouiLers, blue clay and Ignite coal,
sand rock and shale. Good substan-
tial material was found in each hole
drilled, but at some places it was 50
far below the surface as to make the
cost of reaching it with the founda-
tion prohibitive.
Floating debris and brush also IN
creased the difficulty Of the work
Trees and old logs together with
sweet clover and weeds came down
the river in such large quantities
that the water pressure against tho
scows became tremendous and threat
ened to break the hawser or pull the
anchors. On several occasions enougf
brush and grass was taken from th'
anchor ropes when they were moved
to fill large hayrack.
Driftwood Hindrance
Several times large trees and log
came floating down the river an'
the crews prepared TO take to thei'
small boat, but each time they man
aged to ward off the object. Sever
al times the logs struck glanclnl
blows, but not hard enough TO breai
the heavy planking of the scows.
At Williston the engineers deter
mined to locate the bridge south
west of the city. The present roa'
leads to the ferry southwest of tn
town, but the road to the west loca
ton will not be any longer and ha
good banks and a sand bottom wa
found at a higher level. The bottom
on the Mckenzie county side Is un
usually high and good grade cal
be made for the road leading to
across the river bottom.
Cross N. p. Road
In addition the end span will form
crossing over the Northern Pa
cific railroad, eliminating a grad
crossing, and the contractor will b
able to have his materials delivere
directly to the job
At Sanish the bridge will be 10
Gated about 400 feet north of tn
present ferry landing. A natura
grade is available for the road an
the bridge will have comparative
ly short span and good bottom at
high level.
Because of the favorable location
obtained the highway department
hopes to obtain bids which will per
nit the construction Of the bridge
at a figure materially below tn
amount appropriated for them. The
are expected to save motorists an
others thousands of dollars whic
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