The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-31
A Belt Six-Track Road Along Each River
Front, with Wharves and Warr-

NORTHAMPTON, Mass, Jan. 25 1874
Belt Six-Track Road Along Ench rxfv.-
Front, with Wharves and Ware
houses.
To THE EDIToR OF THE HERALD
l propose a system OF docks, warehouses ann
belt railroad on each river front and into West
chester county. First, construct railroad of saw.
six tracks, commencing on the east side, say at the
foot OF Wall street, on the Dulkheads OF piers, az
cording to the following plan ITO widen South
street to so or 100 leet then on line or same
construct piers, placed in the water and built in &C
cOrdance with novel system OF coner dams; these
piers to be sixty feet apart In longitudinal dircc-
on built OF solid granite rock, and to the heighth
OF eighteen feet above the surface OF the 1t
is proposed to have the same constructed for six
tracks, viz. Two for way travel. two for through
travel and two for freight. The roadway TO be
built upon and supported by heavy iron beams Of
an entirely new design, thus spanning the en-
frances to the docks and warehouses. The whole
surface between said beams to be filled or arched
with an indesructible material. so as to deaden
the noise OF passing trains, rs well AZ to strengthen
the structure and obscure 1t rom view. wall OF
the same material to be constructed on each out
side OF tracks, which will prevent the wheels from
leaving the tracks, and also the passing trains
Construct this road along the entire water front
Of the city, and as soon as the demands OF travel
require. 1t can be completed IN much less time
than any other proposed plan and II proper acili-
ties can be had 1t can be constructed within one
year. The building of the road should entertained.
the dock building and warehouses can be erected
as trade may demand. The construction OF the
railroad or pacing Of the piers will not in any way
interfere with the loading or unloading OF
vessels. nor affect any private interest.
Not 50 with any otner proposition, par
mel the streets, thus interfering with gas pipes.
sewers. water mains. undermining buildings, ana
tact that when the road would be finished the con-
slant jar OF passing trains would work lnjuriously
to the foundation and walls OF their buildings.
All these and many other very serious objections
heretofore advanced BY property holders against
all Others would be entirely disposed OF, and the
railroad constructed according to the above de-
sign would forever be distinct and apart from the
ordinary business and traaic OF the streets.
The idea entertained by the writer s to secure
grant or charter from the Legislature to the city
OF New York: Q commission, appointed and named
q first class engineer; this commission to be per-
petual anu appointed hereafter, as may De deemed
future IN relation to the carrying out OF the orig
ina design, until the bonds issued to construct tho
road were liquidated o provision or clause being
made in the charter and condition between the
city and the bondbolders that no legislation
be had until the design shall be July carried into
effect, thereby preventing future schemes Of
porroS money and bonds as
road and Dock Building bonds" and to be liqui-
ings OF railroad would accrue, and when said sys-
TEN was completed and paid for the fare to be re-
duced to rates which would pay for operating ana
conducting The road, thus rendering it the "peo-
ple's project"
In conclusion, will add that Will construct
roadway for six tracks, located on the bukheadS
OF river fronts, and according to design set forth,
Tor less than Sl,5OO.OOO per mile on this side the
Harlem River and Tor q much less sum in West
chester county. The above sum will equip the
road.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES O'FRIEL.
Contractor and Constructing Engineer, No. II
Broadway.
NEW YORK, Jan. &c. 1874.