Читать книгу Bartram Covered Bridge: Spanning History - George D. Conn - Страница 7

The Chester County Court of Quarter Sessions acted quickly on the petition. In the same month of November, the Court appointed and swore in three prominent residents to inspect the site of the proposed bridge. Their duty was to determine if there was a need for the bridge and if the expense was too great for the local townships. If they found that to be true, they were then charged with deciding if “a change or variation in the bed of the road would be an improvement and saving of expense in the erection of such Bridge.” Finally, if that proved to be so, an accurate survey was to be made. The survey and map, along with the findings of the committee were to be ready for the next session of the Court. In January, 1860, the committee filed its report with the Court of Quarter Sessions. The committee agreed with the petitioners that the bridge was “indispensably necessary.” They also recommended a change in the course of the Haverford Road so that the bridge could be built at “the most suitable place, at the least expense, and in the best manner.” Generally, what the county wanted was to build the bridge where the creek was the narrowest. The shortest bridge usually cost the least money. Thus, it wasn’t unusual to see a road relocated a little, as in this case, to allow for a bridge that was straight across the creek at a narrow point.