New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-17
RAPID TRANSIT SCHEMES.

TIE FOURTH-AVE. IMPROVEMENTS NOT TO BE
ABANDONED-ADDITIONAL PRIVILEGES I'D BE
DEMANDED - UNFORESEEN DIFFICULTIES OF
THE WORK.
The nronosals i'm the case of the FOurth-avc.
Improyement Company were handed in at p. m. yes
terday and Immediately afte:ward the Board OF Engl-
neers opened them for the purpose OF awarding the con
tracts for excavating and building the tunnel ana
bridges between Forty.nnth and seyenty-nlnthsts'
The awards will be announced by the Board withih TWO
three days.
Work has already been begun and ground broken be-
tween seyentynintl-st. and the Harlem River. Work
men are laying side tracks at the Yorkyile rock tunnel
and erecting rese works above the low lands between
Ninety-sixth and Turn
outs have already been laid in Harlem. near the ar
lem Bridge and excavations will De begun to-day at lat
point Within few DAYS work will he begun at many
other points along the route north Of the Union Depot
In regard to the rapid transit road extending lromthe
City Hall to Forty Mr. Buckhout, the En-
states that all possible dispatch has Deeh
made The surveys aave been completed, ana the plans
and specifications submitted to the contractors but only
one proposal has yet been brought to the attention OF
the Board Of Engineers. The delays which Commodore
Vanderbilt has been alleged to have occasioned for tho
purpose OF obtaining fOrther privileges ana concessions
from the next Legislature said by Engineer Buck
hOut have been unavoidable. He says that the maps
which purported give the correct line and extent oil
sewers we'll their depth below the Streets IN dluet
rect and the changes IN the plans and specification en-
tailed upon the surveyors additional time and labor.
There are dcules yet to be overcome which were not
anticipated at the outset aud the best engineering skin
will be required 10 overcome them and provide well
drained bed for the tracks, In some sections the
present sewers lie above the grade OF the proposed
tracks aud it will be necessary 10 conduct them by cir
cuous courses outlets below the grade Drainage Is
rendered difficult problem in many places, and eiabO
rate and costly cOnryance- will be required. All these
unforeseen difficulties have greatly retarded the pro-
gTess OF the work but Mr.. BuckhOu states that there
has been no thought OF Withdrawing from the enter
prise and that the work will forward rapidly. He
states also that much more time viii be required TO
complete the sections north OF the Union Depot than
those south OF 1t.
IL is stated that the interests OF the public may require
new privileges and extension OF the road 10 the
BATTERY and there Is doubt that when the members
OF the next Legislature appraised OF the necessity OF
modifying the original p serious objection Will be
made to the proposed alteration; and that II the delay
which already occurred shall Be adiudged 10 annu
the Legislative act by which Commodore Vanderbilt OBJ
tanned right to lay the sunden track the next Legs
lature will extend the pme. The Board OF Engineers,
Mr. Vanderbilt aud an the persons connected with the
rapid transit unite In saying that there has not
been the 81 ghtest suggestion OF dsconinuaHce by any
compe tent authority.