The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-15
DEMAND FOR THE VIADUCT.
People Becoming Festive Under the Long
Delay Of the Union Railway Company.

It is probable that work will be begun upon
the long talked OF South Meridian-street viaduct
very soon. 1t is about two years since the or
dinance was passed granting to tho Union Rail
road Company the privilege of occupying por-
ton OF the streets named with their passenger
station and car sheds. upon condition that tho
company should. at its own expense, build n
fftyfoot viaduct over the tracks at the ;ntecsec-
ton of the alley and the railroad tracks
between Meridian street and the first
alley east Of it. The alley ia at present only
thirty feet in width, and this made necessary
the condemnine and appropristing ten feet on
either side OF the back end of the abutting lots.
The railroad company was to pay for damages
to property and also for property condemned.
The viaduct was to be built under the direction
OF and upon plans furnished by Mr.. Shearer, the
city civil engineer. AS is known, Immediately
upon the passage OF the ordinance the engineer
prepared complete plans and drawings and sub
mittsd them to the Council, and they were ap-
proved and accepted They were also &C
ceptsd by the Union Railroad Company.
The plans provide for viaduct the
whole length of which, together with its
approaches, will be $50 feet. The center
span will be $50 feet in length above the tracks,
and twenty feet high. On the north side OF the
tracks. for distance Of 270 feet, the viaduct il
TO be supported upon iron pillars and the space
under it is to be open for vehicles Of ell kinds.
On the south side $50 feet will be open in the
same way. The remaining ends OF the ap-
proaches are TO have foundation OF SOLID
masonry. The viaduct is to be total OF hfty
fost in width, and . roadway and two foot
ways are provided for.
The Union Railway Company, shortly after
the plans were accepted. proceeded to condemn
the necessary space along the alley on ooth
sides of the track. and took partial possession
of South Meridian street by raising the grade
Of it about two feet for the railroad tracks. Ii
could. under the ordinance, have taken COM
plete possession of the street by building fence
across 1t on each side of its tracks, X 10 so
desired. The amounts allowed to property
owners by the condemnatory proceedings were
generally satisfactory, but several OF them ap-
pealed their cases. and two were allowed greater
amounts in the higher courts Upon these two
cases the Union company have taken an appeal
to the Supreme Court, whore they are now
pending.
The people in the south Of the city have been
and are demanding that the company proceed
and build the viaduct. Both the Meridian and
Pennsylvania street crossings dangerous,
and the unsettled condition of affairs is injuring
South-sde property. The officers Of the COM
papy. on the other hand. claim that they would
have begun the work before this time had ii not
been for the damage suits. and the threat OF
more suite by property-owners whose LAND has
been condemned, and by the owners OF property
op Meridian street, who claim that they will be
injured by the closing Of the street. The COM
these claims. and will proceed with the work
as soon as adjusted. The Meridiau-street prop
erty owners, 1t is said, would have NO ground
for suit against the railroad company, from the
fact that II they are injured at all it will be by
the action of the city in allowing the company
to occupy the street AS to the condemnation
suits. the Union company. it is further claimed.
will have them TO face, and can do it sitter the
work is begun just easily as before. The
people urgent for an early commencement of
the work say that, as the city has granted GER
tain valuable rights and privileges TO tho CON-
pauy. it has the right to, and ought to, demand
that the company proceed at once to perform its
share of the contract This is the sentiment of all
citizens to whose attention the matter has been
called recently. They think the company has
been allowed enough delay in the matter, and
something ought to be done.