Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-14
Why Not a Double Track?

To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
Referring to the question of the relocation Of
the tracks Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
within the city and District, recommended by
the Engineer Commissioner in his Endorsement
OF the report made by Capt. Rossell with refer
ence to the letter of Messrs. Morris and HamiI-
ton about grade crossings in the subdivision
known as lexington, wish to add that there
need be no grade crossing from the District
line to the passenger station of the Baltimore
and Ohio. 1t is a well-known fact that the
tracks Of the Washington branch of the Balti-
more and Ohio from G street northeast to 9Th
and Boundary are above grade at 5th, 9th, 9TH
and Sth streets and below grade at Sd and ID
and cross at grade at G street and III street;
and this state of affairs exists in the short space
of one mile in one of the foremost cities OF the
United States. The location of this part of the
Baltimore and Ohio Is a nuisance. is dangerous
to life and limb, depreciates property values
and, further, Is not needed by the Baltimore
and Ohio to enter this city. A dOuble-track
road leading into the city will, properly man
aged, carry five times or more trains than are
now handled by this company over both the
Washington branch line and the Metropolitan
railroad. This is business fact that cannot be
denied by the railroad company.
Now, sir. IL they need but one line of double
track on which to enter the city. and on which
they can perform all of their work for the pres
ent and for years to come. why not induce or
dOuble-track line located Oh such a line which,
when located, will allow of either overhead or
under-grade crossings! / submit that a
change of location of the roadbed of both roads
ON the lines below indicated will accomplish
the desired object.
CHANGES SUGGESTED.
Defect the line of the Washington branch to
the southwest at any point between Ivy City
and Hyattsyille, continuing it until the Metro
politan branch is reached, from this point or
junction; continue until u or street is
reached; from this point run the road on
straight line to Delaware avenue at Boundary
street, and through Delaware avenue to a pas
senger and freight station north of Massachu-
sets avenue. The roadbed can be placed seven
feet below the present grade of Boundary
street. The grade of Boundary street at this
point can be changed to advantage so that the
railroad can be run under a bridge.
The grade of Delaware avenue is such that if
the road Is run on nearly level line there
Will be no difficulty III placing bridges over NJ
i, X and | streets. At Ii street the road will
be located hye or more feet below grade
There may be some serious objection made
by some Of your readers to this lowering of the
tracks at this point. 1t will be said that the
placing of a bridge at these points will destroy
private property. A moments reflection will
change this opinion when It is known that on
the west side of Delaware avenue ut II street
there Is a public reservation extending a suffi-
cleht Instance Tor the building OF proper APP
proaches to make the grade easy. On the
east side of Delaware ayenue, on II street the
Baltimore and Ohio company own the square
of ground between Delaware avenue and I'd
east. and by purchase of the half of the square
on the south side of II street between Della
ware avenue and I'd street this objection can
be overcome. In calling the attention OF your
readers 10 this proposition have had IN mind
the cost OF the same and by whom il shall be
paid.
WHAT WILL BE NEEDED.
From a short distance beyond Boundary
street to the entrance of the road into its
freight and passenger station it would be neces-
ssry to build stone wall on both sides of the
double-track line to point three feet above
the grade OF the avenue. On this wall u sub.
stantIal iron fence should be built, this work
TO be done ut the expense of the railroad com
pany. the approaches to aud the bridges to be
built to be paid for jointly by the city and the
railroad company.
The width required by the railroad compan,
for the double-track line will be. believe 3;
feet. thus leaving sufficient room on both side.
Of the railroad tracks for carriage and foo
ways Tor the use of the public. In the count,
the relocation of the tracks can be so graded ~
TO place them sufficiently below the grades nov
established for streets and TO allow the building
ofapproaehes and bridges at "a small cost.
In the discussion of the railroad question al
it affects the Baltimore and Ohio il will be re
membered that this company has vested right
which cannot be disturbed before the year 1910
and, further. that in the course of equity anC
justice the city and public are bound to afforC
them access to a station site as near to tn,
center of trade and population as is now &c
corded to its rival. The present station sho0lC
be removed quickly, and il can be done and
new modern building be built. the new rout,
graded. track laid. bridges built. and this par
Of the railroad question settled for twent,
years 10 come If the Congress the city authori
ties, the people and the railroad company vii
work together to accomplish the objects abov
explained THos. W. SMITH.