The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1891-01-16
BRIDGEPORT.

council, report was read from spec
ial committee appointed by the council
to confer with the Consolidated road in
regard to the doing away with all the
grade crossings within the city limits,
west of Park avenue. 1t was something
of surprise to the council and, as few
of the city fathers were familiar with the
plan, the matter was tabled until next
Monday night, wheu it will be thorough
ly aired. The report includes some of
the following suggestions:
That the so-called Burr road crossing should
be discontinued, and road on each side of it |
parallel with the railroad be laid out connect |
ing Burr road with Fairfield avenue. That |
Fairfield avenue be carried under the railroad |
tracks. That the railroad tracks as far east
as Park avenue be lowered about four feet |
and that Iranistan, Howard and another ave- |
nue., to be opened at the most convenient |
point west OF Wilmot 4 Hobbs factory, be |
carried over the railroad by bridges. To car |
ry out this plan it will be necessary to widen |
all the avenues upon which the bridges are to
be located for some $50 feet on each side of the
railroad in order to accommodate the APP
proaches to the bridges and still preserve the
sidewalks and drive-ways as at present on
both sides of the avenues.
This would close Hancock avenue and
other streets, giving, however, foot
bridges at these points. To facilitate the
travel to factories below the tracks, the
committee advised that Railroad avenue
be laid out on the south side of the tracks
crossing the creek and running from
Fairfield avenue east into the city. To
carry the bridges over the tracks at con-
venient grades would be impossible, with
out greatly interfering with established
building lines and street levels, unless
the tracks were lowered end this was at
last decided upon, after consultation with
President Clark. At Fairfield avenue,
the lay of the land is such that it is cas-
Ter to carry the highway under the
tracks; but, east of there, the tracks are
to be depressed about four feet. There
will be but three bridges, at Iranistan,
Howard and (probably) Lesbia avenues,
but each will be magnificent structure,
costing at least 100000. On each side,
the approaches will be 300 feet in length
with suitable retaining walls, which,
with all walls to be built by the road,
will be 20 feet wide and ON each side will
be sidewalk of II feet. Iron steps and
rails will be provided for foot passengers
and yet will not interfere with teams be-
low. From either abutment will rise a
magnificent iron bridge, 200 feet in
length, crossing in one span. These
bridges will have a width of 20 feet.
This plan is only for the space between
Tin bridge and Park avenue bridge; the
road has made no announcement of its
plans for the crossings east of that, but
it is stated on good authority that the
same plan, modified as circumstances
may require, will be pursued in other
parts of the city, the tracks being elevat-
ed even along the docks. This would
lead to an elevated station, whose locat-
ion is yet matter of doubt; but it is
asserted by some that the northern route
has been abandoned and that it was only
bluff, anyway. The natural inference
is that station will be built near the
present location, but that is mere con-
lecture. President Clark in his confer
ences with the special committee, which
consisted of Alderman w. B. Bostwick,
Councilman II. H. Nettleton,C. R.Broth-
we'll of the board of public works, j. T..
Patterson of the organ factory, said that
the company would expend at least $780,
900 in this work and limited at So, 1000, 900
for the city. He was found courteous
and considerable by the committee, who
say that he treated them with gentle
manly Difference. He said that he
thought the city ought to do something
toward the expense of this undertaking
and it was suggested that the city should
pay for the land needed to widen the ave-
nues on either side of the tracks, lay out
and construct the two short roads from
Burr road to Fairfield avenue and discon-
tinue over the tracks all the streets ex-
cept those distinctly specified. In return,
penses. This was deemed fair to both
sides and will probably be accepted by
the city, through the council. The plan
has been submitted by members of the
committee to many manufacturers and
real estate owners along the line of the
railroad and it has generally been accept
ed as the best to be obtained. 1t will al
low the railroad easier access to the side
tracks at the factories along Railroad
avenue than if the tracks were elevated.
The matter has been explained again and
again by members of the committee and
they will be on hand at the council meet
ing to explain still further by means of
maps and plans.
Miss Nellie Graham of Lewis street
was married to Owen Hearty, last week
Tuesday evening, at the Sacred Heart
church.
Alpheus Beers, an old resident, died at
the residence of his son-in-law, Samuel
Goulden, 10Y Hanover street. He had
been in poor health for a number Of
years. The funeral was held, Monday
afternoon.
Hon w. d. Bishop has at last complet-
ed his proposed arrangements at the ar
cade, buying small lot in the rear,
which gives him an entrance to the post
Office building. 1t is hoped that, as soon
as the post office is removed to its new
quarters, it will improve the arcade as a
place of business so that the remaining
stores may be rented.
A. Howard Middlebrook wanted a
skating pond, SO he flooded one in his
own yard, on which he has learned to
skate.