The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-10
The Blackvell,s Island Bridge.

Tho concurrence Of the Senate and the
Assembly, on Thursday, in the bill author
iEing the construction Of another bridge
across the East River, between the city OF
New York and Long Island, Is triumph for
DR. THOMAS RAEEY, who has 80 long been
pushing that enterprise, and for his asso-
ciates. Their project has encountered much
opposition, as was to be expected. No I'M
dertaklnR of such Importance could very well
be carried through in communities 50 Dense
ly populated as those on the shores OF the
East River with the entire assent Of all In
terests. In this respect DR.. RArEEY's project
has had parallel In the Brooklyn Bridge
whose enormous value to the public Is never
theless now beyond question.
The two principal objections urged against
tho East River Bridge, as the structure
1ust authorized by the Legislature Is Of
ficially called, were that the persons named
In the act Of incorporation could sell their
franchise to others, and that the bridge APP
breaches on the New York side could not
possibly be constructed without doing dam
age to property there. Exactly what
view the Legislature took OF these objec-
tions, or to what extent 1t has admitted
their validity can hardly be ascertained.
The former was a rather vague assertion,
the basis for which did not appear In the
discussions, and at any rate 1t did
not go to the merits Of the case.
The latter objection was more serious,
but its force had been reduced since the prof.
ect was first presented for consideration
by carrying tho bridge approach on the New
York side high In the air above Avenue A,
and the First Second. and Third avenues.
The descent into Park avenue 30 as to con-
meet with the tracks In the Fourth avenue
tunnel, may undoubtedly make changes in
the uses OF some real estate there; but. all
things considered the two branches of the
Legislature concurred In sanctioning the
scheme after some amendments and safe
guards had been added to the bill
Tho main purpose OF the new bridge Is to
establish an ample railroad connection be-
tween Long Island and the city of New
York. This 1t will accomplish by Joining the
entire rail system OF the former with the
elevated railroads OF New York and with the
Central, Harlem. and New Haven Railroads
at the terminus on Forty-second street.
Every expert knows the great advantages
furnished by Blackwells Island for
bridging the river at that point. Central
piers can there be constructed, and the
spanning OF the channels on either side Of
tho island by bridge strong enough to
carry heavy trains mt high speed is neither
difficult nor excessively costly The plans
of DR.. RAINEY and the designs OF tho bridge
by Mr.. SCHNEIDER, the architect of the can
tilever structure at Niagara, insure suf-
ficient height for the free passage OF all
shipping underneath; and accordingly Con,
gress gave the required authorization, 50 far
as it was concerned. long ago.
Taking together the bridge and its ap'
proaches, they will constitute structure
nearly four miles long. Two railroad tracks
will be carried on the bridge. On the Long
Island side it crosses Ravenswood Park
land. proceeds about two miles in straight