Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-18
GRADE CROSSINGS,
An Investigation Made by Order
of the Engineer Commissioner.
WHAT WAS FOUND BY THE INSPECTORS
Recommendations Made to Insure
the Safety Of the Public.
FULL TEXT OF THE REPORT.

FULL TEXT OF THE REPORT.
The public must be protected from the dan
gerous grade crossings and the unprotected
tracks OF the railroads within the District Of
Columbia.
These are the sentiments Of the Engineer
Commissioner, and he proposes to do all in his
power to correct the bad condition of things
that The SFAa has pointed out from time to
time.
VI late Capt. Powell has given the matter
serious consideration. and at last determined to
oring matters to q focus and lay before the
commissioners plan that would help matters
considerably.
Before proceeding he detailed General In
spector begss and Inspector Bradshaw to pro-
ceed to the locality traversed by the railroads,
and after a careful inspection of the situation
to report to him, together with any recon-
mendations they saw fit to make.
week was spent in the investigation, and
today the report was submitted. Il ID a fol-
lows:
Capt Chas. F. Powell, Engineer Commissioners,
D. c.:
an examination Of the steam railroads within the
city limits, with view to determining what
may be necessary to be done by them to meet
the demands Of the public necessity especially
In the way Of protecting their tracks 80 as to
insure the pubic against accident, Of i'm
provements necessary at points where
the public streets are crossed by
their tracks, and Of such other precautions ~
may be deemed necessary to be taken in tho
conduct of these roads. particularly in connsc-
ton with the manipulation Of the gates At
street crossings, we have the honor to transmit
the following report, with our reasons for the
recommendations contained therein:
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Beginning with this road we first took up the
| examination Of the Washington branch, confin-
ing our observations TO that portion between
| the depot at New Jersey avenue and G street
northwest and the crossing at Florida avenue
| northeast, a. result of which we found the
general condition Of the tracks to be good, the
planking for the most part at street GROSS
| ings to be in fair condition, also gates
on both sides of the tracks, at street
crossings, operated by q watchman from
| 5 O'Clock q m. until 10 o'clock p. m. and
| ali night at Massachusetts, avenue, and
| streets. At I'd, Sd, 9Th, and Sth streets, how
| ever, there are neither gates nor watchmen,
and at 9Th street there are gates but no watch
| man. At I'd street gates, and consequently, .
| watchman, are unnecessary, the trains passing
under . bridge OF sufficient elevation at this
point. .--'-'s-s-s-,..-,s-s..
At Sd, 9Th. and 9th streets we consider the
erection gates ssuunecessary at least until the
Improvement of those streets and they are
opened as thoroughfares.
| At 9th street the gates are not in use, the
street is unimproved and traffic at present
passes over the L street and Florida avenue
crossings, which almost form q junction with
/ that Of 9th street.
The fencing on this branch Of the road We
nected at intervals, and upon the whole to be
insufficient in extent and inadequate for the
proper protection Of the public against acci-
dent.
Recommendations.
We would recomme nd the following as ne
cessary for the public convenience and safety:
The complete repair Of the Massach usetts
avenue, 4th, 5th, and 7th street crossin as. and
that they may be made solid with planking
throughout, by reason Of their worn and rough
condition.
| The extension Of the fence west Of the tracks
| between Massachusetts avenue and E street to
| meet gate when down, n sidewalk being adjacent
to the tracks here over which there is sufficient
| travel to justify this extension.
| The erection Of fence east Of the tracks be-
tween F and Chicago streets, there being side
| walk adjacent to the tracks there which il used
as a thoroughfare ~ above.
The extension and completion Of the existing
| fence east Of the tracks between Chicago and g
| streets to meet the G street gate when down,
the space adjacent to the tracks being Q
thoroughfare also. The erection Of a fence
west Of the tracks between and G streets Is .
matter which we prefer to submit to your
those points being occupied by lumber stored
close TO the tracks belonging to Mr.. Thomas A.
Smith, and which prevents all travel on that
side.
The extension and completion Of the exist
ing fence east OF the tracks between G and II
streets, emitting space occupied by side track,
the space adjacent being also subjected to con-
siderable travel.
The erection Of fences to extend unbroken
on both sides Of the tracks between I'd and 4th
streets, no crossing being at Sd street, as noted
above.
This is thickly settled locality and there are
| residences adjacent to the tracks to the south.
The erection Of fences on both sides of the
| tracks between 4th and 9th streets. This is
necessary to prevent accident, there being res
sidewalk on the south side.
The erection Of fences on both sides Of the
tracks to extend unbroken between 5th and 7th
streets, there being no crossing at 9Th street. az
heretofore noted.
The tracks between these points are consid-
erably above grade, but the locality being well
settled up in the vicinity Of the tracks there is
more or less liability to accident, and especially
is this SO in regard to the children In the neigh
borhood. who play about the tracks unattended.
We therefore think this recommendation justi-
fable.
The erection Of fences to extend unbroken on
both sides of the tracks for the entire distance
between 7th and L streets, there being no cross
ing at K, 9Th or 9th streets. The tracks be-
tween these two points for most Of the distance
are nearly to grade and run through an open
common, the promiscuous use of which 10 .
short cut to intermediate points across the
tracks. the most direct line being taken in
variably, without taking into confederation
the propriety Of crossing at street cross
ings, and with good reason when it is
taken into consideration the inconvenience
which would be occasionally going to the near