Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-14
THE UNION DEPOT.
Routes of Steam Roads in the CITY.

Routes of Steam Roads i'm the City.
REPORT OF ENGINEER COMMISSIONERS TwINING.
The following is the full text OF the report of
Engineer Twining upon the railroad and union
depot question, brief abstract of which appeared
In yesterdays STAR:
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
December 5, 1881
10 the Commissioners Of the District or Columbia:
Gentlemen: In obedience to the requirements OF
The at or Congress approved February y, 1881,
and referred To me by the board for report have
the honor To submit the following report and CON-
muncatiOns:
The act referred to reads as follows: can act to
authorize The commissioners OF the District OF Co
r,r na 70 epi IN ana site for union
other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and
House OF Representatives OF the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the COM
miSsiOners OF the District OF Columbia be- and they
are hereby, authorized to recommend suitable
s1te lor union railroad depot for all the railroad
COMPANIES whose tracks enter or terminate
In said city. having due regard as well to the in
terestS OF the residents and property the
DlSrlct or Columbia as TO the chartered rights and
pecuni,ry investments OF the railroad companies
10 De Affected by the action OF Congress in the
PREMISES but II: in the Judgment OF the said Com
mssionerS 1t Is better for the interests OF all par
ties concerned that two depOts should be estab-
IiShed, the one on the northern and the other on
the southern side OF the city of Washington, then
TO make selection of the two sites for the respective
depots and TO report their action in the premises
with proper patS. To Congress during the present
session: but IL that is not practicable then To re-
port on the first Monday OF December, 1881, with
Dill containing such further provisions as they
may deem best calculated to secure the use by
sah railroad companies OF said union depot II so
selected; or In case OF the selection the two de-
POtS aforesaid To secure the use OF the northern
depot by the company or companies whose road
or roads enter the city OF Washington nearest to
saia northern depot, and the use of the southern
depot by the company or companies whose road or
roads enter the said city to said southern
depot, and TO compel the vacation OF all other de-
PotS ana the removal OF all tracks not necessary
IOr Use In reaching the depot or depOts intended
20 be established under the provisions Of this act:
Provided, That such union depot or the two denofs
herein referred to, whichever NAV be selected
snail be provided by said railroad companies free
nom expense to the United States or the District
On Columbia Approved February g. 1884,
The nrst question TO be decided is whether it is
70 the interest OF all parties concerned to concen-
point
The existing lines are the two branches OF the
baltimore and Ohio and the Baltimore and PotO-
mae Railway.
The Washington branch OF the Baltimore and
0nor lirOad now enters the city limits at Boun-
dASy street, between 9Th and 10th streets north
east: crossing boundary a few feet below grade
SAng ID a Soutnwesteriy direction across eth
OA- 1th, 9Th. l. X, 5th, 4th, 3D. and 2d streets
several feet above grade OF each; follows Della
ware avenue on grade Tar as 4 street northeast,
street and North Capitol street TO the depot on
New Jersey avenue. This road has been con-
sn:tt'i without regard to the established grades
pes or crosses This fact which. at the time was
pcotbiy considered of little importance, has. by
Iessoh OF the growth OF the city become a seriOu,
1uisance and the cause OF constantly Increasing
complaint
The Metropolitan branch OF the same road enters
ne city limits at Boundary street. between Isl and
= streets northeast, and continues down list
ssseet on grade To Delaware avenue. where IL
untIes With the Washington branch. Down to
tht point Is open 10 the ordinary objections to
sseam railroads which occupy the greater part OF
a narrow street at grade and cross the intersect-
~ streets also at grade.
The Baltimore and Potomac railway now enters
the city limits at the Eastern Branch, between l.
ana NJ streets south, crosses 18th, 14Ih, 18th and
I'm streets, and thence In tunnel along the gen
ersa line OF Virginia avenue and street south, to
the west building line OF 9Th street, where IL
energies upon the grade OF X street ana follows
the line Of this street, conforming approximately
- the street grades to Canal street. thence along
Canal street 10 Virginia avenue, along Virginia
avenue 10 Maryland avenue and along Maryiaud
avenue 10 the Long Bridge conforming to the
sfTeet grades This road occupies the two great
assnues in the southwest portion OF the city at
grade, and employs them for standing trains and
f9r The unloading OF heavy freightS TO the great
ttensntiure of the ordinary business and travel
OF The streets IL also crosses the grand park
WAieh extends from the Capitol To the Executive
MANSION, and prevents its improvement
Al present the southern line OF railway has no
authority TO enter the city. In the establishment
common central station, this potent factor in
the problem should not be ignored, but eIU u
r1hts should be granted to it in common with the
other roads Under the provisions OF the act In
obeilence To which this report is made the Com
mEsioaerS have 10 deal only with the existing
lines. They may, however recommend that no
discrimination be made I'm favor OF these roads as
against the interests OF other lines which may de-
sh. 70 enter the city from the south
After careful examination or the whole subject
am strongly OF the opinion that the best inter-
ets OF the city and also o. the railroads which are
70 ne affected by the proposed action require that
u connon central station should be established at
the nearest practicable point TO the center OF the
business interest OF the city; that this station
should be reached by lines either above or below
tne established grades OF the several streets and
avenues which ii may become necessary To &C.
cupy or cross, and that tn passage of the Potomac
INsI sootn~ard from the city should be made DOS
SloE tof All upon reasonable conditions. IL Is TO
Ue uhd.fstood, however, that the building OF this
cehtral station should not In any WY interiors
Win the location OF such other DEPICTS and land
1ngS as Elay from Time TO be found nacaSSarv
for the transaction OF the business OF the roads or
fer the convenience OF the local TRAVELLING n,hl,.
In connection with the choice OF a lo,satiOn for
the central depot the proper point OF passage of
the PstC.eac river mus. also be- considered n ms
bern proposed at different times heretofore to
cr0ss above Georgetown or from AM loStan Island
70 the Observatory point. am OF the opinion that
neither OF these points is suitable the passage
OF Joint line, being remote and involving ilficilf
ana e2 pensiye connections With existing lines OF
ra'ixay. such selection would In fact mel
an unnecessary extension OF the roads through
wiiat IS now or VIII become in the future thIckly
settled and valuable part OF the cits It would
also Involve tae necessity OF crossing :ire public