New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-21

case with the East side line above Fourteen'n-ss
finally adopted. ,, .,.,o.oa =, tho idea of q
continuous rock roof for tunnel except az suCn ueps
or with such grades as to be almost IL no' qu'e' P'O
II followed then that tunnel for consideraole por
don of its lengthand that pro6aoy unuer bI g1 pwond
~ ErosdWay where questions Of property rights "C.uu
present the greatest dnicutes-must be driven thro"s
The question was whether this could be best accom-,
psed the surface or At consaeraoen cnonS be
below ana the ats D0n %nas ts ysey Of complex con
siderations some related to the convenience and cos'
Of construction others, ana the more lmPor'A"' '''
The cost Of tunnelng at such depth as TO avoid an
question of property rights might be cheaper oIt tas
Xten Of the chcapenlng would depend upon the deptn
and might be easily exaggerated. and dcnth. ~
The mere cost Of excavating below ground would bo
ered that ali the excavafed material for commodous
fonrracl structure with ample station ana pau s I'm
facilities, must be raised to the surface through S"'i
opening on or near crowded streets; ,., ,s g..
The question also arose as to what deptn WJutu "a ia ia
cure Immunity from damages when the material 10 20
excavated was sand liable to be wet and 70 run, WIN
this liability increasing with the DEPTH ana WIN eaG
pressure from above was that OF Broadwsys heaV'e''
To this nothing but trial and experience could give
The dnicultIes of ventilation and drainage increase
with every foot Il depth
EMERGENCIES MUST BE PROVIDED FOR.
dcep tunnel would require elevators as means Oh
access and stairwsys would be necessary, In add
tion which, except for emergencies, would be prac-
tically useless and provide properly for emersen-
cies must be broad and costly
Modern and improved elevators in sufficient num-
bers would doubtless provide for the regular volume
of traffic at ordinary stations but they not believed
10 be adapted for large crowds such as must frequently
gather on line Of transit under broadway ,S
one hundred feet more less in vertical height ~Ouo
he Of no avail as sources OF relief for crowds moving
upward and would be extremely dangerous Tor ero"dS
Moreover, il is not believed that deep, suoter.
ranean line OF transit, with elevators, would a.res 80
tha -hO Orf
omtey essential for the success OF any line the cost
of which AT all approxmates that OF iour' 'raoA UNI
hei II is admitted by the strongest advocates OF under
ground transit that other things being equal, tne tn
nearer the station platforms are 10 u'e Si"''' WV
Conceding however that there are some advantages
thew apply entirely during the time Of construction
and to Tie rrst cost Of te stretus nsHs
~ H derived in comfort and convenience to the public
facility of operation and the securing OF patronage aiter
Ready accessibility by means Of short. broad and
commodoas Stat% nt ng bett"S yenaos st sta
tons light and air at ntermedltte points necessary
and the feeling OF greater SrGrS S on te part ad1e Q. s
reached in time Of accident other emergency arc
too potent be surrendered TO mere temporary DIM
These and other considerations led to the decision
upon the part Of the Commission to place the under %
possible and the engineers Of ,he Board were directed
70 submit dte two G a @ns @ SS oG & nne % S
two tracks upon each deck.
WHAT THE PLANS PROVIDED FOR.
These plans were prepared, the one providing roe
four tracks n level at the minimum distance below
the surface admit OF the nonlstnrbance Of existing
pipes cOnduts and other underground structures and
occupying substantially the entire width OF broadway
from curb t. curb but not such depth as TO require
excavation below the foundations Of the heaviest and
most costly structures abuttlag on the street. This
Il was believed would eliminate 10 large degree tlo
dnicultles To be encountered In protecting abutting
property during construction This plan also provided
for carrying on the work Of excavation without dis