1907 - Tidewater Bridges

[NW Mailing List]

Roanoke Times - December 21, 1907

TIDEWATER BRIDGES

Orders Received Here For Completion of the Work

  The speedy completion of the bridges and viaducts to be used by the 
Tidewater railroad east of Roanoke, and which was ordered held up 
some months ago, has now been ordered. These contracts were let to 
the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company of this city and some of them 
had been completed. The stringency in the money market some time ago 
was perhaps the cause for the work being ordered stopped and when 
this was done it necessitated the bridge company putting off a number 
of men. The work of completing the contract has now been ordered and 
it is expected that the bridge company will find it necessary to 
again increase the already large force of men in their employ.
   This order which comes from headquarters, sets at rest the may 
wild rumors that the Tidewater railroad will not be completed. From 
the best obtainable sources the partial cessation of work on the road 
was due entirely to the scarcity of money and the inability of the 
company to realize on their securities. There is a decidedly more 
wholesome tone in financial circles now than there was even a week 
ago and securities of all kinds show an increase in value. This has 
enabled the company to command ready money and it is now confidently 
expected that the new railroad will be finished and in operation in a 
short while.
   The completion of the Tidewater or Virginian railroad will mean 
much for Roanoke and this section of the state. This is the only city 
of any size that is reached by this road and this fact alone will 
guarantee to Roanoke must of a necessity be a division point of 
considerable importance if not the most important on the road. The 
geographical location of Roanoke makes it the best point on the line 
for the location of the general offices and shops and the recent 
visits of several of the officials of the road to this city and the 
careful inspections that have been made of all the property owned by 
the company in this city argues that the location of the principal 
shops is at least a matter of serious consideration by the company.
   The news that the Bridge Works will finish the work for the 
railroad which had been ordered stopped will be received with 
pleasure by the many working people of this city and the whole of 
this section of the country as it guarantees that the road will be 
pushed to completion at an early date.

-----------------------------------

- Ron Davis, Roger Link