Evening star., 1927-07-13
BRIDGE is CLOSED;
/ COLLAPSE FEARED
Chain Spans Abutment
Found to Have 8-Foot
Hole Near Base.

The historic Chain Bridge was
closed to vehicular traffic at midnight
last night by order of the District
Commissioners because Of fear of the
imminent collapse of its deteriorated
abutment on the Virginia side.
Closing of the span had been con-
templated for several weeks, but the
discovery Yesterday of a gaping
cavity, feet long and extending
back into the abutment no less than
feet. convinced the Commissioners
rnat the masonry might topple into
the Potomac without warning at any
time and led them to take immediate
action to forestall a tragedy.
Backfll Rolls Out.
The order directing the closing of
the bridge was adopted at a special
meeting of the Board of Commission
ers held in the office of Commissioner
Proctor L. Dougherty shortly before
4:30 o'clock. The meeting was called
hurriedly following the receipt of a
report from Fl. r. HowSer, assistant
engineer of bridges. on the results of
his latest investigations around the
abutment.
The report included description of
the hitherto undiscovered cavity.
and a lesser crevice at the base of
the abutment where two stone blocks
had slid from their places and the
whole masonry was apparently kept
from collapse by a third stone block
having become wedged over the
aperture, leaving a three -cornered
hole through which smaller stones
from the backfill had rolled.
These evidences of a more serious
situation were discovered at low tide.
the water having been lower than at
Any time for several years. Howser
happened to be near the spot at the
time making general observations.
After a brief discussion of Howser's
report, the Commissioners adopted
motion offered by Engineer Commits
Eioner William B. Ladue, as follows:
81 move that the Chain Bridge be
closed to all traffic except pedestrian
pending further investigation and
study of the question of possible re-
pairs, this order to be effective at IL
o'clock midnight, July II, 1927"
Collapse at ANY Time Possible.
The serious condition of the south
abutment was first called to the atten-
ton of the Commissioners some weeks
ago in a report from the bridge de-
partment which bore the signatures of
David E. McComb, engineer of bridges
and his assistant, Howser. The en-
gineers declared at that time that the
abutment would likely collapse with
out warning at any time and recon-.
mended the closing of the span.
The Commissioners, however, did
not believe that such drastic action
was necessary at the time, and adopted
certain emergency restrictions govern
ing the weight of traffic to be allowed
to cross the span. A watchman also
was stationed at the abutment to keep
a constant vigil, and policemen at both
ends of the bridge forced all vehicles
to come to a complete stop before pro-
ceeding across the span.
But while the bridge was kept open |
under these emergency restrictions, |
District officials were constantly un- |
der nervous tension. Capt. II. G. |
Whitehurst, Assistant Engineer Conn., |
missioner, admitted that his nights |
were restless and when the decision |
to close the bridge was reached. there
was relief on his face.
Is Important Link.
The officials fully appreciated the
seriousness of the condition, but they
also realized the need of keeping the
bridge, which is an important link in
the highway, open to traffic as long as
possible.
Investigations will be made now to
determine whether the abutment can
be repaired temporarily SO that the
bridge may be reopened until funds
are obtained for it's reconstruction. 1t
is estimated that it will cost between
$4,000 and $780, 900 to make the abut-
ment safe, if that is possible. but the
officials are questioning the wisdom of
such an expenditure in view of the
proposed replacement Of the bridge.
Moreover, the officials fear that should
repairs be undertaken, it might be
necessary to deprive Arlington Coun-
ty, Va, of it's water supply from the
new Dalecarlia Reservoir for four or
five months. The bridge carries the
county's supply mains from the reser-
voir, and the reconstruction Of the
abutment, it was said, probably would
force their disconnection during the