The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-20
IN FAVOR OF THE VIADUCTS.
Gen. T. A. Norris Presents Some Forcible
Objections to Mr.. Wright's Plan.
the Railway Tracks Through the
City Is Impracticable.

Inc propoSltlon now De1oro the Board OF
Aldermen to sink the Union tracks and bridge
them at the streets and alleys" said Gen. T. A.
Morris, who is an old aud experienced engineer,
lis in my judgment, as mischievous as could be
we'll devised, were it carried into effect Think
of the effect upon property along the Union
tracks-manufacturing enterprises connected by
switches. Such property would be entirely
ruined for manufacturing purposes; as how could
side-tracks connect with main tracks sunk eight
or ten feet below their gradei Whatever i'm
portance Indianapolis has now, or is to have in
the future, is dependent upon her manufactur-
ing enterprises. Instead Of making it hardship
to manufacture here we ought in every way to
make it as easy for such enterprises as possible
and thereby keep those we have and induce 9TH
ers to come here.
Sinking the tracks would not obviate the ne
cessity Of making viaducts. You would yet
have to as close to the engines as if you had
not made the cut. The bridges will have to be
high enough above the tracks for the smoke
stacks to 60 under-that would be about sixteen
feet above the rails AS to an elevated road
there is the fact Of the great expense to be taken
into consideration"
"But travel could pass under the tracks?'
'Yes, and there would be the beautiful pros
pect of having hot water, hot cinders and every
thing that could drop from cars falling upon
pedestrians horses and vehicles below. Occa-
sionally car would drop off the track and add
to the danger. 1t would be perfect nonsense, in
my estimation, to have elevated tracks. Besides,
so far as manufactures and switch connections
are concerned, the same objection would apply
as to having the tracks depressed eight or ten
feet below their present grade. Elevated tracks,
with the great amount of business done upon the
Union tracks, would be very frightening to
horses and there would be few persons in car
riages who would dare to attempt driving under
them
My idea is to leave the tracks alone and
make viaducts. 1t might do at some place to
make . tunnel. Have the approaches to the
viaduct made of masonry, with q solid street
above. and have culverts along the approaches,
SO that travel on the street below would not be
shut of. Have the part that is over the tracks
duct plan is cheaper than either the plan of
elevating the roads or sinking the tracks. The
Virginia avenue viaduct should be begun at the
earliest possible moment. There should
be two approaches at each end to
oess, Alabama and There
should be another at the Meridian-street cross
ing Of the Union tracks, and it will be made by
the railroads at their own expense. First build
the Virginia. avenue viaduct and then take up
the work of building others. A fund should be
created for the purpose Of building viaducts.
We should expend $4,000 a year on them. A
special tax could be levied for the purpose. I
think 10 cents on the 500 would raise $50, 600
year. / believe the Virginia-avenue viaduct
could be built at cost of $50. 900 or $40 0O0 I
have made no estimate, but do not think the
cost would be far from the figures
given AS to the single Big Four track on
Virginia avenue tunnel could be made under
that That is an affair of little impor-
lance, however compared with the necessity for
a safe crossing of the Union tracks. The Del
aware-street viaduct was burlesque, and moth
ing of that kind will ever be tolerated again.
With the proper kind Of a viaduct there would
would know there were any engines about, as he
could neither see nor hear them.
$50 far as Pogue's run is concerned the last
City Council adopted the proper improvement,
and the work started by that Council should go
without interference-that is, widen the run
to forty feet everywhere, allow no obstruction
to be placed in it. and deepen it so the high
water will not rise above the side walls. After
WHILE where space is valuable, iron beams will
be laid across the run, and business
and manufacturing enterprises will grow
closed drain or sewer. The present plan con-
tnued will prevent overfows. Pogue's run is
the lowest part of the city. and Is our natural
drainage way. A foolish expenditure of money
was made in the big Washington-street sewer,
which is on high ground, and the sewage of In
dianapois follows natures law and persistently
refuses to run up hill. It would have been bet
ter to have expended that money in Pogues run,
and in smaller sewers running into it"