Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-15
RAILROAD CROSSINGS.

road Authorities--The Railroads Agree to
Make the Crossings safe--The Question Of
Whistling.
A meeting of the railroad men together
with the committee on street crossings Of
the city council with the president of the
board of public works and city engineer,
was held at the council chamber yesterday
morning. The meeting was called for 10
O'Clock but it was 1890 before it was called
to order There was present Mayor Dawson,
President Rhodes and Aldermen Bell and
O'Connor of the city council. President
Becker of the board of public works, City
Engineer Sewall, President Ilsley, of the
st. Paul & Duluth road, General Manager
Sergeant, of the Northern Pacific, General
Manager Hill and Chief Engineer Morris, of
the st. P. M. & NJ, and A. B. Stickney,
James Smith, Jr., attorney for the st. Paul
& Duluth road, and Messrs. VIM. Lee, F.
Willius and w. L. Wilson,
on the part of the chamber of commerce.
City Engineer Sewau submitted his report
embracing plans, estimates, etc. These
plans were discussed at some length in an
informal way. The following is City Engi-
neer's Sewall's report;
To the Committee Oh Railroad Crossings:
Gentlemen-It is proposed to lower Fourth
street 80 as to pass under the railroad tracks,
as shown on profile herewith.
In order to do this and give room for Trout
brook the grades of the st. Paul. Minneapolis
& Manitoba and the Northern Pacific railroad
must be raised to the height shown by the up
per red line on the profile which the officers of
those companies have agreed to. The clearance
between highest part of street and railroad
work over it should be twelve az feet.
1t is an objection to this plan that the street
grade is 80 low over Trout Brook as to make it
difficult to construct an outlet for the city sew
erage along its channel. As I have advised
against the construction of such an outlet
along the brook, cannot regard this as an OBJ
stacle to the plan, but think that the st. Paul
& Duluth Railroad company ought to remove
one obstacle to an outlet by way of Fifth street
by giving the city the right of way and per-
mission to construct q sewer along the line of
Fifth street, extended from East street across
the grounds of said railroad company.
have made no estimate of cost
of bridging railroads over the pro-
posed cut, assuming that they will do it
themselves. As the foundations are bad along
much of the distance, it is likely that trestles
will be used at the sides rather than poles, SO
that the street will be quite open to the light
and air.
The estimate includes excavation, draining,
paving with limestone, and brick sidewalks
with granite curbs, from Kittson street to Pha-
lens creek, with stone and iron bridge over
Trout brook, and bridge over Phalen's creek OF
stone abutments and wooden stringers and
floor, amounting in all to $4,000.
The material from the excavation will partly
fill the street from Phi alen's creek to CONNER
cial street. Respectfully,
J. 8. sEwALL. City Supt.
The report was accompanied by profles of
the different crossings.
The Fourth street crossing was first taken
up, and after general discussion the plan
proposed was adopted and will be recon-
mended to the council. This plan contem-
plates bridging Fourth street by the railroad
companies, which will necessitate lowering
the grade of the street from four to four
teen feet.
The matter of expense in making this
change was the next bone Of contention.
the estimated cost was $4,000, and Mr..
Becker, Mayor Dawson and others, thought
it was but fair and just that the railroad
companies should pay the expense. 1t was
but trifing matter divided up among the
four or FIVE railroads, when it is taken into
account the vast benefits conferred upon
the companies by the city. Mr.. Becker
said further that there was no
way for the city to pay for
the improvements except by assessing
the expense upon the property bordering on
the street, and he wanted to know if the
railroad companies would be willing to pay
the cost.
At this point the railroad officials with
drew for private consultation, and after their
return Mr.. Smith stated that the railroad
companies would agree to make their i'm
provements, and leave the streets in as good
condition as they are now, leaving the paw
ing, sidewalks, drainage. etc., to the city.
Mr.. Rhodes said it would be better to have
the companies put their proposition in wri-
ting, and the committee could then have
something to act upon, either to accept or
reject it.
This was done and the following PROPOSE
ton submitted:
To the Railroad Committee on railroad CROSS
ings of the city of st. Paul:
In the matter of changes of grade of Fourth
street in the city of st. Paul, as to pass the
travel of said street under the railroad tracks
according to the profile and plan of the city
engineer now before the committee.
Each railroad who sign this PROPOSE
t1On, eaCn Tor 1I6elI ana not IOr eacQ OGner,
agree to do the work necessary to bring the
street down to the proposed grade across it's
own right of way and leave said street in as
good condition for travel as it now is.
ST.. PAUL, June IA, 1880.
j. P. ILLsEY, St. P. & D.
H. e. SARGENT Northern Pacific.
j. J. HILL, st. P, M. & M.
The proposition was accepted and referred
to a full meeting of the committee, to be
held tomorrow Wednesday, afternoon, at 8
o'clock.
Mr.. Lee, on behalf of the chamber of COM
MERGE, brought up the matter of the gates
at the crossings while the bridges are being
built, and also In regard to the excessive
whistling of the locomotives.
Mr.. Ilsley said that they, (the companies, J
were compelled to blow their whistles by the
laws of the State at all crossings, and if they
did not they would be liable.
Mr.. Becker thought there was more whist
ling and bell ringing than the law required.
1t was great nuisance and annoyance to
the residents along the line of the different
roads. He hoped the companies would en-
deavor to pay some difference to the wishes
of the people in this respect.
Mr.. Wilson said the gates erected are out
of ordor, but as night watchman had been
put on the danger was not SO great.
Mr.. Hill gave it as his opinion that the
gates were of little use