New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-28
FOR UNDERGROUND TRAINS.
RESOLUTIONS OF RAPID TRANSIT coMMIS-
SIONERS.
rurv WANT FOUR TRACKS AND ExpREss1

the transportation of passengers along the West
Side Of the city were announced officially yester-
day after four months of deliberation. The main
features of the proposed route recommended Dy
the commissioners were published in The Tribune
several days ago. AS announced yesterday, the
proposals are included in the form of resolution
The commissioners recommended express trains
for long distances and accommodation trains ZOE
short distances. Arrangements are TO oe mace
at proper intervals TO allow the passengers 10
change from the local trains to the express trains
or from the express trains 10 the local Ialns
The avenues and the streets are TO be obstructed
ss little as possible so that traffic will not be
interfered with For the same reason. the CON-
missioners have determined TO use private proper
~ wherever possible and TO avoid the use OF puo-
lie property. unless absolutely necessary
Many features of the plans have been left un-
decided by the commissioners, as they cannot be
determined upon in their estimation until surveys
have been taken There is also great latitude In
construction They recommend four-track under
ground railway under Broadway from the neighbor-
hood of South Ferry TO Fifty-ninth-st: thence
under the Boulevard TO point at or near One
hundred-and- sixty -ninth-st AT Manhattan-st
there is to be viaduct, whose length is yet to
be determined by the engineers. From One
bundred-apd- the road is to 90 under
west of that avenue, 10 point TO be determined
by the typographical conditions. From the point
decided upon on Manhattan-ave viaduct
is TO lead across Spuyten-Duyvil Creek
From the creek TO the city limits
the road is to run either a viaduct or through
tunnel The engineer will decide which is to
be employed.
AS far uptown as Forty-sccond-st the gen.
eral plan of construction is TO be double-deck
tunnel with two tracks upon each deck. or four
tracks on the same level. dependent upon the
results of the survey. The tracks and tunnel are
10 be placed at a distance below the curb suf
fcient TO prevent injury TO the foundations of
buildings Beyond Forty-secOnd-st., north, there
ore to be four parallel tracks the same level
as near the surface of the street is practicable
when in tunnel The cuts not to be open.
In 10 the present time the commissioners have
been unable to locate the stations 1t is prob
able, however that for the express trains, accord
ing 10 the commissioners they will be at least
one mile apart. The other stations are TO be
closer together They are to be built upon prop
erty acquired for the purpose, and in most cases
will be provided with elevators.
The motive power has not been decided upon
definitely Ii is TO be- however, either electricity
or some other power not requiring combustion
within the tunnel
The resolutions as adopted read as follows
Resolved. That after thorough Investigation 1t IS
Transit system for The city of New York should embrace
the following essential features; 49,, o. 90,
present needs but also be susceptible by additions and
by radical changes alterations, OF such expansion
as the future growth of the city may require.
g That il should provide for express Trains at hlgh
spd for long distances and for way service for inter
nedate distances upon separate tracks located as
TO facilitate at proper intervals an exSnsEs O CA
8. rhat the surface Of the streets and avenues IN
the city should o INSTRUCTED 70 the least possible e1
vae instead OF public property should DC used pao
A. That the first lines OF railway to be constructed
should be on or the important th0ronshiares, CO.
lncident-0r rs nearly 50 as possDIC-"Ih Vie mann
Resolved, That as meeting these requirements u. IN
the manner most feasible for the Neet Sue Un tn3 M
city, this Board hereby approves OF plan Ior di
underground fourtrack railway under BT0ddWay HVin
point at or mn near sG%1 Ferry % 10 pont at or near
One-hundreCand sixty ninthst with snch Iehetn ot
saT thence % eu undsr Eevenhaye or under private
property Immediately TO the west theicOl, rs may
% Be nd Sa rohd S oI R Thence by vaduct
across the spuyenDuyvil Creek and by tunnel or by
viaduct to the city limits.
Resolved That the general plan of construction
from at near South Ferry, 70 near tOrty y,seconu-
tracks upon each deck, or four tracks on the same
level may be found upon examination ana L sqrYey icy
low the curb line not 20 disturb the surface or
endanger building foundations. ., - :. .o,n
naraIIeI track npoH the same level as near the
Surface of the street practicable when in tunnel,
but not in open cut at any point
Resolved That the stations for such line of railway
shall be upon property acquired for the purpose ana
shall be provided with ample elevator capacity
wherever the platforms shall be twenty feet or more
Pssoiyed I've That the motive power for such railway
shall be electricity other power not requiring
combustion within the tunnel. .,,. No., J.. ona
ReSoIycd That the engines Of this Board be ana
are hereby Instructed to make the necessary surveys
and prepare in detail the plans and pecGat9 on +t fGr
Board for It's further action in finally determn9g =,
plan for to the &c ta Rapd Spng ra Il
Act Of January 81, 1891
In speaking of the plans, one Of the commits
sioners said that he desired first of all to get the
views of the public regarding them. Changes
would be made if it were found advisable. The
entire length of the road on the West Side was
about eighteen miles. The express trains which
would use the middle tracks would be able to
run that distance in about thirty minutes. 1t
was believed that the distance from the Battery
u Spuyten Duyvil could he gone over in twenty
FIVE minutes The accommodation trains would
run more slowly. The plans adopted had been
recommended in their entirety by no outsiders
They were combination Of various plans sub
mitted to the Commission and OF the recommends
tions of the commissioners and their engineers
No one therefore, could think that he was the
originator Of the route, the system or the method
OF construction.
Above lifty-ninthst. the cost Of construction
would be about Sl,OOO.OO0 a mile, said the
Fifty-ninth-st. owing TO the greater difficulties TO
be encountered. would be about S3O00,0Q0, At
least two years would be necessary TO build the
road Parts Of il, however, would De IN opera
ton before that time. unless unexpected oppos-
ton were encountered. IN all probability several
months would elapsc. added the com,
missioner before the Board OF Aldermen would
be asked for their approval. The sur
vey would require much labor on the
part OF the engineers. Everything must DC
In definite shape before the Aldermen could con-
slider the plans. After the Aldermen and the
Mayor had passed upon the proposals. the next
step would be 20 gain the consent OF more than
one-haf OF the property owners The c0mmls-
sCncrs anticipated little trouble in accomplishing
that end peaceably. The riChts-Of-way supposed
~ owned by other companies would be no nm