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for the development of a more economical and efficient type of river-boats, requiring less head room than the present antiquated types, may soon show results that would have a decided influence in determining the reasonable clearance heights of bridges.

A typical Paris boat and tows

4. Attention is also invited to the fact that the people of Pittsburgh have voted to expend about $7,000,000 in certain public improvements. Among these are the cutting down of the "Hump," an obstructive hill in the city's midst, widening some streets and filling certain other streets in the North Side and West End that are flooded at high river stages. The material from the "Hump" in the vicinity of the Court House is to be hauled to these North Side streets across the lower Allegheny bridges under question. The work is of great magnitude and it will take at least two years to complete it. Any material alteration to the bridges such as proposed by the Board of Engineers will require a long time to be carried into effect. While this bridge work would be under way, the transportation of the material excavated from the "Hump" and the filling up of the low grade streets of the North Side would have to cease or would be carried on with great difficulty and inconvenience to other traffic. This would tie up the whole work while it is in progress, causing material injury to the city, for it is to be extremely annoying and bothersome while it is in progress, and the longer this period is strung out the worse it will be.

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Last modified on 22-Dec 1999
Design format: copyright 1997-1999 Bruce S. Cridlebaugh
Original document: Frederick Law Olmsted, 1910