The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-02

Department of Public Works.
This department accomplished in the
past year An enormouse amount of work
and the City Council are ordering the
building of highways, sewers, bridges,
laying Of water pipes. and other WORKS
SO rapidly that H. will still require as
much or more work from this depart
ment during the present year.
Highways
The work at Charles, Admiral and Ori-
entail streets has been completed and the
dangerous grade crossing at that place
abolished,
Kinsley avenue. which will afford ac-
cess to the new railroad freight yards,
has also been completed.
About 100000 granite paving blocks
have been laid In the following streets:
Arwells and Manton avenues. broad
Brook, Cranston, Fountain. Hign, Olney.
Pettis. South Main, Took " otton, Benefit
Richmond, Aboru, Snow, North MAR,
and Charles streets. This work has made
q decided improvement 20 the central
section of the city and also affords fine
thoroughfares through Crdnston and
dlgh streets 20 the towns OF Cranston
and Johnston. The roadway OF Grams
ton street hes also been widened.
About $1,000 lineal feet OF curbiny has
streets macadamized and built, besides
doing an unusual amount of work resur
facing streets that had been torn up for
the construction OF sewers. Where il is
possible, would recommend that the
sewers be laid before the streets are or
dered built. thus avoiding an unnecessary
expense.
The following work Is ordered in con-
nection with terminal facilities and will
be pushed forward to an early completion.
The paving aud building of Gaspes street
and the construction OF the new city dock.
work Will commence upon the widen.
Ing and building of Elmwood avenue as
early as the season will permit.
Numerous complaints have been made |
90 the commissioners or the dangerou = |
condition OF sidewalks that have becom |
worn In places aud require repairs The |
com missioner mas no authority to compel |
abutting owners OF such dangerous places |
TO make the necessary repairs AS tne |
city IN being continually forced 10 nav |
damages arising from this condition OF |
anairs, 1 recommend that authority ba
obtained that will permit the commits
sioner 10 require or cause the repairs to
De made anu TO provids Tor reinbursing
the city for whatever expense it may have
tncurrsd thereby.
Water Works.
The past summer was remarkable for
che unusually prolonged dry weather.
The consumption Of water was unprece.
dented, and at times taxed to the utmo,,
the pumping capacity of the department
The question OF an additional pumnino
engine Will demand early attention. so as
10 avoid any serious Interruption 10 tna
supply OF water that would follow should
any accident occur TO one OF the present
Bngines.
The Pawtuxet river and its tributaries
haye been under continuous inspection
w bile the city will not be satisfied untii
lhe river is entirely free from ali pollu.
ng matter, much encouragement "A de.
rived from The progress made In this
direction during the past year. This
subject, together with the Question of
nlterinR the water supply, ia now under
by the joint special com.
nittee upon the pollution of the water
supply.
The portion Of the improved sewerage
ystem comprised In the EImwoo,
Iivision, together with most of its main
branches, have been completed, aud a
arRer numbfr OF lateral sewers have
zen built during the past season in this
nd other districts than during aav pre.
eding year. The work has also Leen
ctiveiy pushed ia the Woonssquatuck,t
istrict. and IN now nearly compIeted as
~ a. Eagle street: A part Of the trunk
eser ior the relief of portions OF the
,n'rd aud Tenth wards has also besn con
tructd- The Work upon the main sew
- IN Msnton avenue. and In Troy and
1k streets and In Canal street, together