National Transcontinental Railway.

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Québec Bridge.—Preliminary work was started on the reconstruction of the bridge over the St. Lawrence at Québec, Dec. 8, when about 100 men were put to work around the approaches of the old bridge, for the purpose of preparing for the clearing away of the debris, and the demolishing of such parts of the old work as have been condemned, preparatory to the construction of new piers and other works. A contract will be let at an early date for the removal of the steel work between the land and the piers. This has to be done by the spring so as to allow the caissons for the new piers to be sunk by May 1. The Minister of Railways, in reply to questions in the House of Commons recently, stated that the new bridge, is to be erected at the same site as the old one, the south pier will be used in part but must be enlarged, a new pier will be sunk to the rock on the north side, and the other piers will be rebuilt. Further questions elicited the information that the existing south pier caisson will be fully used, and enlarged to carry the greater load that will be required for the new superstructure. At the north pier, borings have demonstrated that the caisson can be founded on the rock and the span reduced from 1,800 ft. to 1,758 ft. The existing north pier will be demolished. The old bridge was estimated to weigh 35,000 tons, and was to have been built of carbon steel. The new bridge will be built in part of carbon steel, using nickel steel in the more important members. The weight cannot be given at present pending the receipt of tenders fort the superstructure.

On Dec. 9, the Minister stated that the total cost of the Québec bridge to the Dominion Government to date was $6,905,852.35; including subsidies paid of $374,353.33. A contract had been let to M. P. Davis for the substructure of two pneumatic caissons, two abutments, two anchor piers and one intermediate pier, which will all be required if the ultimate decision is for a cantilever bridge, at a cost of $2,448,475. If the decision is that a suspension bridge is to be built the abutment, centre pier and anchor pier will not be required; but anchorage piers for cables will be required. No estimate for the latter has been made. There was a provision in the contract for withdrawing the items named. The cost of the two pneumatic caissons would be $2,000,800, and these will be required as planned whatever type of bridge superstructure is ultimately decided upon. Pending such decision it was not in the public interest to give any estimates of the cost of the superstructure.

The Department has issued an invitation to contractors for bridge superstructure to visit the office of the Board of Engineers in Montréal, after Jan. 3, for the purpose of receiving information to enable them to prepare bids for the superstructure of a span of 1,758 ft., having a width of 88 ft.

Railways: N.T.Ry.

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