Arched masonry aqueduct.

The second contract of the Wachusett Aqueduct was awarded in six different sections to Silvio Casparis & Co. of Columbus, Ohio.

This section was not a tunnel at all. Rather, it was an arched concrete tube built upon a carefully excavated grade and covered with soil and grassed over.

Starting where the tunnel ended it ran continuously for 7 miles from the end of the rock tunnel in Berlin to a Terminal Chamber near Cedar Hill in Marlborough.

The character of the work on this section was of concrete forming for the walls and arch (carpenters) and smooth red brick lining (bricklayers). Six stone crushers were installed along this path to provide a uniform aggregate for the concrete masonry.

Some swamp with quicksand bottoms were encountered in Section 9 but the placement of a thick layer of sand on top allowed the work to continue.

The description of this specialized work and how it was accomplished follow.

Thanks,

Paul