The Cordova Daily Times

LARGEST SPAN
FOR DETROIT'S
NEW BRIDGE

DETROIT, Dec. 12.—Plans for the new international suspension bridge to connect Detroit and Windsor, just announced, show that it will have the longest single span in the world, measuring 1852 feet, or 24 inches longer than the great cantilever at Quebec. Of double-deck construction the new link between Canada and the United States will accommodate street car, automobile and pedestrian traffic on the upper deck and passenger and freight train service on the lower deck.

Barring unforeseen delays, actual construction work will commence next month within four months the upper deck should be ready for service without interfering with traffic on the highway deck. It is planned then to begin construction of the lower deck which should be finished in two years more. The towers will be constructed to a height of 510 feet above the water, the span will have a width of 87 feet for the highway deck with two trolley tracks two sidewalks and two roadways, while the lower deck will have four railway tracks and a 20 foot space for public utilities equipment. Electric locomotives would be used for traffic across the lower deck.

Completion of the bridge will mean the end of the train ferries, which for years have carried freight and passenger trains across the Detroit river, even after the opening of the Michigan Central tunnel.

The bridge, which will be built by the Canadian Transit Company and the American Transit Company, with the approval of the Canadian and United States governments, will span the river almost from the center to the shore line of the two cities. Construction is expected to begin from the American side.

The promoting companies have been authorized to issue $30,000,000 in securities for the project. It is estimated that completion of the highway or upper deck will cost approximately $15,000,000. Purchase of shore space for the approaches is under way.

Plans for the bridge were drawn chiefly by Charles E. Fowler, of New York. Associated with him in the erection of the structure will be George H. Pegram, chief engineer of the Interborough Rapid Transit Co, New York; Professor William H. Burr, of New York; Colonel C. M. Monserrat, Montreal; Professor C. R. Young of the University of Toronto, and Professor H. E. Riggs, of the University of Michigan.