The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-07
The Blackwell,s Island Bridge.

With the signature OF Governor FLOWER
to the Backwell's Island Bridge bill. the
project which DR.. THOMAS RAINEY and his
associates have 30 long been pushing amid
many delays. becomes practically avail
able. Again aud again the measure has
passed ono House or tho other, and when
| 1t passed both it was checked by veto.
| Now at last tho way is open for tho work OF
| construction. which presents no very for
midable engineering obstacles.
The special purpose OF this enterprise is
to establish rapid and direct rail connection
thence over existing routes with all parts OF
the country. This Is to be accom- lished by
bridge crossing the East River ut Black
wells Island. on which its central piers
will rest. and having clear spans between
that island and the shores. The two spans
are so moderate In length as to give no
trouble or excessive cost In building. The
main problem from tho first has concerned
the approaches on the New York side. which
must be SO planned as to give access. by an
easy and convenient descent. to the tracks
OF the New York Central Railroad. with
which tho desired rail connection Is to DO
made The rights Of property owners In
densely built and populated city had to be
considered. and the objections to one form
and another Of the plan had to be met.
On the other shore the bridge. after cross
ing Blackwell's Island perhaps south OF the
centre. reaches Long Island City ut Ravens
wood. Tho elevated approaches traverse
Ravenswood Park. keep on to tho Flushing
and North Side Railroad. and thence fur
Their into the interior. making total dis
lance Of nearly two miles on that side.
Two stations will be established on these ap-
proachcs. The whole structure will have q
length OF more than three and a half miles,
with height sufficient not to impede
shipping. 1t will have two railroad tracks,
and DO strong enough to carry heavy
trains drawn by ninety-ton locomotives
at forty miles an hour. Besides the main
bridge and its approaches there will be an
important branch on the Long Island side.
running across Newtown Crock and Will
liamsburgh to the heart OF Brooklyn.
The bill as signed provides that the bridge
must be at least 100 feet above mean high
water ut the middle Of each channel. and
must accommodate passengers and all kinds
| OF vehicles. In Now York the southern arm
or approach is to begin east OF Park avenue.
within ono milo OF tho Grand Central Sta
ton: but the northern arm may DO either
north or south OF the Harlem River. Tho
bridge must cross Blackwells Island, or the
rocks south OF 1t. ut right angles to tho
| two channels. and ut such q point as will
give reasonable grades and facility of
approach. 1t must not cross Park,
Madison. or Fifth avenue within a
district bounded by Fiftieth and Nine
| ueth streets and Third avenue. or en-
ter that district. 1t must BIO begun before
March 8. $685. and be completed before
March 8. 1900. unless delayed by legal pro-
ceedings. strikes. accidents. or certain
other causes. There arc provisions for no.
quiring private property. and for paying
one per centum OF tho gross earnings OF tho
bridge and Its connections. In specified pro-
portions. to New York and Long Island
City after certain earning power shall
have been reached. There are provisions,
ALSO for further extensions Of the ap-
proaches In Now York: but no part OF tho
bridge or Its approaches "shall. except at
the termini thereof. DO less than l6 feet
above any street. avenue. or public place.
or less than IA feot above any existing ele-
waited railroad which may be crossed"
To upper New York and the opposite
shore this bridge will obviously furnish To-
cilities OF communication which are lacking
In the Brooklyn Bridge. admirable as Is the
latter for Its purpose. In addition. 1t con
hardly fall to have worry great influence In
building up the region north OF Newtown
J Creek. and. indeed. north aud cast OF tho