The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-03-14
Great Railway Enterprise in New

The problem Of quick and sufl cient
transit for the oyercrowded streets Of New
York is, apparently, about to- be solved.
Many projects have been discussed, for
underground and elevated railways; but
one now pending in the Assembly for an
elevated "viaduct" way appears to meet
with more favor than anything hereto,
fore proposed, and promises to come
to q head. Tho nature OF the design and
the magnitude of the undertaking will be
understood from the following which We
take from the Albany correspondence Of
the World. 1t is estimated the total cost
Of the road will be sixty millions.
The plan which was decided upon, Of q
viaduct railway, is claimed to be practlca'
BILE and preferable on several accounts.
First, because the work will cost less than
an underground or IN open-cut railway,
and capitalists are ready TO come forward
and delray the expenses. Second, because
the plan insures greater cOnveniences,
pleasure, and healthfulneSs OF travel
than that Of IN underground railway,
with its drawbacks Of dangerous draughts
and insufficient ventilation. Third, be-
cause the construction Of the via
duct is intended to but slightly inter
icrc with the general travel and traffic Of
the city, and the structure will be so clc-
vated that the space underneath It can be
built up and used rs now for purposes Of
trade Beginning at or near Chambers
street, above City Hall Park, between
Broadway and Chatham street, the pro-
posed viaduct-f0rty feet wide and sup
ported by columns OF masonry and iron
will run north through the blocks between
Broadway and the Bowery TO n point near
Houston street or Blocker street, where
the main depot and office will probably
be erected. Here the viaduCt will have
two branches, one diverging east down
Third avenue and East River to Harlem
River; the other diverging west across
Broadway and Carmine street or Sixth
avenue, and running nOrtherly west oil
Sixth avenue and Central Park to Spuy-
ten DuyviI Creek, near Kingsbridgc. -Four
railway tracks for steam cars are to be
laid on the summit Of the viaduct, and
trains are TO be run often enough to suit
the public convenience. Two tracks will
be used by the fast or express trains, to
stop at stations Of perhaps mile or q
mile and u half a part, and two trains will
be set apart for slow or accommodation
trains, which will make frequent stops.
The fare between Chambers street
and Harlem River, seven and n half
miles, on the east side, Is fixed at Is
cents for any distance; and between
Chambers street and Kings bridge, eleven
and n half miles, on the west side, at 20
cents for any distance. To prevent the
ovcrCrowding Of cars and also, as it would
seem, TO compel the company chartered
by the bill 10 provide u sufficient number
Of cars 10 accommodate passengers with
comfort, it Is stipulated that no more pas
sengers shall he admitted to any car than
can be seated therein. A provision is also
incorporated in the bill that every train
running between the hours OF 0 and s
morning and evening shall have attached
at least two cars, each capable Of seating
(orty.Gight passengers, for the aCcommo'
dalton Of wOrking-men; that such cars
shall admit all who can find sitting OF
standing room; and that tho fare in them
for any distance shall be 8 cents only
The corporation or company who arc
named for the gigantic undertaking mum
Der, as 1t will DO seen from a glance a
the first section Of the bill, many dlstin
guishCd gentlemen, representing the com
mercial, mercantile, and other prOminen
interests of New York City. The bill ii
1t stands calls for no aid from the city
treasury, and docs not propose to tax thu
people ut large. 1t charters Il corporation
and provides for subscriptions of private
capital 70 make up the necessary funds
The gentlemen who favor the project say
that capitalists arc ready to furnish thu
money. The estimated cost of the vim
duct Is $3OOO,OOO per mile, including thu
cost Of obtaining the right Of way and o
equipping the road; and upon the expense
there Is expected to be the drawback o.
the sale or rents Of real estate under the
viaduCt.