|
|
Wm. Wyer & Co.
Report on Rahway Valley Railroad
August 1944 |
| Over Ashwood Ave. One span deck plate girder
bridge for one track. Girders 66'0" long. Underclearance 15'0".
Condition fair. No repairs. | |
|
The Rahway Valley Railroad's bridge over
Ashwood Avenue (MP 6.73) was one of four
bridges the railroad had through the City of Summit. These four
bridges effectively elevated the railroad and eliminated any
possible grade crossings through the city. The bridge was originally
constructed in 1905 as part of the railroad's extension to Summit.
This bridge, along with the one over Russell Place
(MP 6.67), were completed by October, 1905. Apparently the
RVRR neglected to acquire the necessary permits to construct the two
bridges over Ashwood Avenue and Russell Place. In the middle of the
night the City of Summit, utilizing a steam roller, pulled the two
bridges down from their abutments.
Nicholas C. J.
English, General Counsel for the railroad, negotiated
with the City of Summit to acquire the proper permits. It is unclear
whether entirely new bridges were constructed or the original ones, which
were pulled down, were utilized. Nevertheless the bridge which served the
RVRR for many, many years was stamped by the American Bridge
Company in
1905.
Although the
bridge has not seen a train since the formation of Conrail in 1976, it
still remains in place. |
