Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-14
Bridge Closing and Replacement.


Closing of the Chain Bridge to
traffic on discovery that the south
abutment is disintegrating brings to
mind the case of the old Aqueduct
Bridge, the decrepit condition of
which was discovered nearly forty
years ago. Vague fears had been felt
for some time about the security of
the Aqueduct, originally built to
carry the canal across the river and
then. on the abandonment of the Vir-
ginia branch of the canal, devoted
exclusively to traffic uses. But not
until one day when certain Of the
steel members of the structure had
buckled was 1t realized that the
south abutment was probably out of
plumb. A line was dropped along
side Of the pier and it was found
that It was off center. A diver was
sent down and he found an extensive
cavity under water in which a large
log had lodged. The force of the
current had secured out the masonry
and the damage was certain to in
crease. Immediately a demand was
made for the permanent closing of
the bridge and it's replacement. But
the usual course obtained and the
hole was patched to prevent further
deterioration. From year to year
other repairs were made as additional
defects developed and the bridge was
kept in use for many seasons. For
thirty years or more 1t remained in
service after that first buckling of
the steel and the diver reported the
discovery Of cavity. Meanwhile the
traffic had increased. A shelf was
built on the side to accommodate a
trolley line and the bridge was
strengthened" to bear this additional
burden. But it was always under
suspicion, always in need of closest
scrutiny and inspection. Public con-
fldence was never fully restored.
Everybody remembers how long it
took to get an appropriation for a new
bridge; and how long the construc-
ton of that new bridge required. The
old Aqueduct was still in service, and
when at last it was definitely closed
and the traffic was flowing over the
new Key Bridge the venerable relic
was Just about "all in" Portions Of
it still remain as reminder Of those
anxious years.
Now the question arises whether
1t will take as long to get a new
bridge to replace that which has just
been closed as a measure of safety.
If the reports of the engineers who
have examined it are correct. it will
not be possible to treat it as the old
Aqueduct was treated and patched
into a state of endurance. For the
fault at the Chain Bridge seems to
be chronic and not durable and new
structure, it would appear, is impera-
tive. Perhaps it is to be hoped that
the old bridge is too far gone to be
bolstered up to the point of continued
use, for then there would be reason
to expect more speedy action in re-
placement.
The closing of the bridge entails
q serious hardship upon the people
of both Virginia and the District who
have had to use 1t in going to and
fro. They are now forced out OF
their way on a detour that adds sew
erai miles to their travel, and in
cidentally adds materially to the,
congestion on other routes. Their
discomforts and losses may reach the
point of causing an imperative and
effective demand for action at the
next session for the erection of new
bridge, whatever the financial terms
or arrangements that may be made
for the construction.