The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-08

ing river to dedicate a long and spacious bridge connecting Middle town and Portland and destine to facilitate our fast-growing traffic to the north and to the south. as well as to the east and to the west. From this point of vantage the eye is greeted with lovely views up and down the river such as we can only half see when we drive along the highways some distance from It's banks. AS we look upon the scene deeper and deeper grows our love for the river and the heights and loWlands through which 1t flows. The Connecticut river Is for us a pres- ence, almost personality. with q face ever changing in sunshine, shadow. and storm.
 This occasion resembles in many ways the dedication forty-two years ago Of the bridge below us, over which some of us have just driven. That bridge took the place of a ferry, just as the ferry had taken the place of unorganized boating across the river at uncertain hours. The bridge was one of the best for those times. being rightly acclaimed as a great feat in bridge engineering, un- surpassed anywhere. At the dedi- cation were present state, county, city, and town officials. who rode in carriages or walked in process sion across the bridge. Bells rang, whistles blew, and hats went up into the air. Joy and excitement ruled unconfined.
 Future Needs
 That bridge, beautiful and sufli- cient unto the times, must now go the way of all material things. The horse and buggy have already given way to the motor vehicle and, as consequence, to an immense in- crease in trafflc. The new bridge, which we are now dedicating, must have four lanes and must be so constructed that two more lanes may be added whenever they be- come necessary. It must be lifted high in the air so that there may be no holdup in traffic on the high ways or on the river. The ap- breaches must be by way of long viaducts. It's foundations must reach down through the waters to bed- rock in order that 1t may withstand any strain that may be put upon It.
 In all respects the builders ap- pear to have done their work we'll It is an outstanding achievement for which they should be congrat- ulated. For the substructure it was necessary for them to go down more than a hundred feet beneath the water. To avoid delay in trai- fic and the danger from floods, it was necessary to provide clear ancc of nearly another hundred feet above the water. Thus we are standing two hundred feet above the lowest foundations. Each of the two arches measures 600 feet. The complete bridge with it's approaches measures 34000 feet It is the longest bridge in the state and because Of It's width it's capacity will be at least 5000 cars per hour. So after today the bottleneck will be no more. We all have good reason to be happy.
 Thanks To All
 AS Governor thank all who have been concerned in the undertaking the bridge executive committee. the state highway department. the officials of MiddletoWn and Portland contractors. engineers and work men. and All patriotic citizens of Middlescx County.
 In behalf of the citizens of Con- necticut have the honor to accept the Middletown Portland bridge and to declare it now open to the public. This function I perform with very great pleasure and satisfaction, Joining with you in praise of work brilliantly accomplished.
 "A thing of beauty Is A joy for ever"