1907 - New Piers for Tidewater

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Roanoke Times - March 05, 1907

New Piers for Tidewater

   The contract has just been awarded by the Tidewater Railway for 
the construction of the superstructure of the giant coal pier to be 
built at Sewell's Point. The McClintic-Marshall Company were the 
successful bidders and the cost will be $500,000.
   The entire structure contemplated by the Tidewater Railway for the 
present Sewell's Point terminals is now under contract and the total 
cost will reach $2,500,000 before the work is completed.
   The announcement that the contract for the iron superstructure has 
been awarded the Pittsburg and Pottstown, Pa., contractors was made 
by General Manager Raymond Dupuy yesterday. The terms of the contract 
call for the delivery of the work complete within twelve months from date.
   When asked when the terminal would be ready for handling coal 
shipments, Mr. Dupuy stated that with favorable conditions the pier, 
yards and harbor dredging necessary, would be ready by the time the 
road was prepared to deliver the coal from the mines. This will be 
within twelve or fifteen months, he says.
   The general manager has just returned from an inspection of the 
work along the line. He declared yesterday that the progress was 
satisfactory and that track laying was proceeding at every point 
where rails could be delivered to the contractors.
   There are still several bridges and tunnel unfinished, said Mr. 
Dupuy, and these are delaying the rail laying more than any other 
cause. The contractors are able to lay track to a tunnel or bridge, 
but until these are finished the work on the tracks must stop.
   The bridge over the Eastern branch of the Elizabeth river is now 
nearing completion and will be ready for traffic next week. As soon 
as this work is delivered the first train will be operated at 
Victoria, and a party of local people and Tidewater officials will be 
taken over this portion of the line for a short tour of inspection.

- Roger Link