Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-07
STH-STREET TUNNEL.
THE CONTRACTORS AGREE 70 COMPLETE
IT IN ONE YEAR
Forty Nsn Now at work-Electricity to bs
Used for Light ana Motive
Power.

Ground was broken at the northern end
OF the Eiehlh.street tunnel about five or six
weeks ago, and now the work Is well under
way.
Hands have been really actively engaged
for little more than four weeks, and 6,OO0
cubic yards OF dirt has been removed, which
Is regarded as exceedingly good progress In
railroad work, especially when The unia-
vorable circumstances here experienced ex-
LIST. The surroundings In this case are sueh
that the earth has TO be carted on In wneel-
barrOws, which IL both expensive and slow,
aud for some time only a very small force OF
bands could be employed TO advantage.
A Dispatch reporter visited the northern
terminus OF the tunnel yesterday and was
surprised 10 sec what bad been accomplished,
all drawbacks and obstacles being considered.
The railroad company had TO have the
Eiehth-street sewer uncovered and strength-
ened for q great distance. This has been
done, and the opening is being filed in, Gnd
the earth can now be dumped thereabouts
with safety. MFR. w. J. Westwood, who did
this work. is now engaged in building the
large sewer which connects with the
Seventh-street culyert and extends along the
ravne to point near Ninth street.
10 u BNllI ~ ONE ihhhs
Messrs. J. {. Carpenter & Co., who have
been given the contract for building the tun-
mel, are under bond TO complete the work in
twelve months unless they encounter such
difficulties as cannot be foreseen. They will
receive so much per foot for dirt dug out
and moved, brIck.wOrk, woodwork, &c,
and ii Is impossible 10 even approximate the
cost OF the undertaking. Mr.. Carpenter IS a
native OF Louisa county. and Is a practical
railroad man, having had much experience
in works OF this character. His firm has lust
completed a large contract In North caro-
lima. The contract begun The 1st of July.
The contractors aud the railroad authorities
are firm in the belief that the tunnel can and
will be completed some time before July |,
1889, unless there are heavy slides and other
similar troubles which there are no reasons
to expect.
Forty men are now at work with picks,
shovels, and wheelbarrows, and II is stated
that the number will be greatly increased In
a few days-perhaps on Monday. Now only
two gangs can be employed to advantage
large one at the approach OF the tunnel and
a smaller one near the point at which The
tunnel will actually 90 under the street.
The approach has already been made about
32O feet Where the second gang is en-
gagged the body OF the earth TO be excayated
Is OF a dark. blue hue and very tough; almost
as bard to handle as soft rock. President
Belyin was unable 10 say yesterday when
work will begin on the road proper, as many
details have TO be arranged, "but," SAID he,
we are pushing ahead and hope to begin
work very soon and in dead earnest. In
short while we expect to be able TO work 600
men In the tunnel. and | reckon near 500
will be employed on the road"
The earth that is being moved from the
tunnel ls being dumped in the ravine near
by. In very few days carts can be used to
supplant the wheelbarrows and derrick
will also be operated. Then great progress
will be made.