The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-03
VIRGINIA-AYENUE VIADUCT.
City Engineer To Be Requested to Make Sur
yeys-How $500 Saloon Tax Would Help.

The proposed viaduct on Virginia avenue was
considered last evening by the special Council
committee on that enterprise and the committee
on streets and alleys. with Mayor Denny in the
chair. The railroads were represented by Col.
Becker, of the Panhandle, Superintendent Sher-
wood and Mr.. Morris, of the Big Four A petit
ton from South Side citizens, presented to
Council May "a, revived this question, which has
been in allegiance some months-in fact. since
certain councilmen AID aldermen made their
trip to Chicago. in March last, to examine the
methods there Of overcoming dangerous railroad
crossings within the city. The petition referred
the junction of Alabama street and Virginia av-
enue. It otherwise spoke of the dangers there
from passing trains, that almost practically cut
OF communication with the north side OF the
city.
In regard to this work the Mayor said that he
did not think the assessment of damages and
benefits, under the general law authorizing the
city to condemn property, was sufficiently def.
mite. The city attorney also took this view, and
the Mayor continued that it was his belief the
money to build this structure must come from
the property-holders in that part of the city.
Mr.. Sherwood, of the Big Four, said he could
give no intelligent opinion as to the proposed
plans He did not see how their tracks
could be benefcially changed in order to preserve
their present connection with the Union railway
tracks. However his company stood ready to
consider any practical plan or plans looking 10
saving life and insuring accommodation
to the citizens of the South Side.
IF we should change onr tracks," said he,
either to strike the Panhandle line or
the Union tracks, the expense would be great IN
the purchase of the necessary lands Besides,
a lar avn in, <ha - a;r~h+
depot would be entailed.'
Mr.. Morris suggested to the committee that it
should make survey and procure detailed esti-
mates of the cost of the viaduct Something
tangible could then be had to propose to the
railroads. As the question stands, without these
surveys to define the idea of the thing to be
done, the railroad people, of course can give no
satisfactory view of the situation.
Mr.. Sherwood thought the committee made a
mistake in considering the Big -Four railroad the
principal obstacle. Councilman Renecke said he
crossed the place complained of three times every
day. and he found more obstruction from the
Big Four than any other railroad. Mayor Denny
referreGAgain to the present impossibility of the
work if the city alone mad to raise the money for
1t. AT the same time he recognized the business
of the complaints Of the people of the South Side
Alderman Schmidt did not think the viaduct
could be constructed this year, but he wanted
the subject agitated in order to be ready for the
practical work next year
IF you Democrats. Mr. Schmidt" said Mayor
Denny, will help US to $500 saloon tax, we can
raise great part of the fund"
What is the matter" retorted Councilman
Raip -ALA ti--;Ah ---:--- Car. s--A- @tan ~-Apu
--sS.~, laA.Lr s---.. paw
time he comes to town" After this there was a
general talk of no definite character about
damages, value of property, and the practi-
cability of lessening the number of tracks in the
locality mentioned to two. Every point sug
gested led TO the cost and the fact that there was
an absence of any specific plan No one,
councilman, alderman, or railroad man, had the
one thing needful to put the conference in a
CONDITION to insure satisfactory result and the
meeting adjourned, after deciding, on motion of
Alderman Wright, to reques. the city engineer
to make surveys looking to change of the Big
Four tracks. The motion also carried with it
request that the civil engineer of that railroad
company act with the company's officer in this
preliminary work. In the meantime the com
mittee will investigate the legal methods relating
to the enterprise. 1t is expected that report of
the surveys will be accompanied by estimates of
cost of the viaduct and change of tracks.