Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-03-11
THE TUNNEL PROJECT.
ENGINEER GIL BROWN COMPLETES HIS PRE-
LIMINARY SURVEY
OF the Nnh and Tenth Street Routes-This Re-
port Presented to the Committee at It's
Meeting Last Night


the fund for defraying the expense OF
preliminary survey for the proposed
tunnel through Wheeling hill, held a
meeting last night at Trades Assembly
hall. Engineer Gil Browne, who was
employed to do the work, presented a
full report, which was received by the
Committee, with the accompanying
maps and drawings. II is very proba-
Bile that the matter will come up
in some shape, before Council,
at its meeting Tuesday night, and will
also be brought to the attention OF the
Board Of County Commissioners. The
arguments which will be urged in sup
port of the project, are that the pro-
posed tunnel will be a much-needed
aud permanent improvement, OF meal
culable benefit to the business inter
ests of the city, and will also afford en-
Dlovment for several hundred men who
are now idle, thereby in measure re-
lievng existing distress among the
poor.
Engineer Browne had charge OF the
tunnel work for the w. 3. 81 T. Com
pany. No person better qualified could
have been secured TO make the pre-
preliminary surveys. His figures and
estimates are accurate, and are care
fully made. Two surveys were made,
at Tenth and Ninth streets respective
ly, the latter being nearly $50 feet
shorter than the former.
The survey for the Ninth street tun
mel contemplates starting at the level
of Market street, with an open cut from
the east side of Market street, extend
ing up Ninth street about $50 feet. The
tunnel proper will turn slightly to the
left, coming out on the west side Of the
hill at q point Just north Of Guenther'S
stone quarry, or about 500 feet north Of
the Baker street bridge over Wheeling
creek. The tunnel willsslOpe toward the
east, the grade being IL feet in each
100 feet. IL will be necessary TO grade
an approach 10 the tunnel at the east
end, with sharp curve TO the right at
tho mouth, leading down the hillside,
crossing the w. & e. G.. track at grade,
at point near the present platform Of
that road for the city cemetery. The
tunnel proper will be /, 1877 feet long.
The Tenth street tunnel would be 1,4S0
feet in length. 1t would start on Tenth
street, at the intersection of Alley G.,
turn slightly to the left, and continue
through the hill, coming out at point
800 feet south Of the Baker street
bridge. The approach to the tunnel
would lead down the side OF the hill,
crossing the w. & E. G.. tracks at grade
about the same poin: as the proposed
Ninth street tunnel. The grade in this
tunnel would also slope toward the east,
the fall being g inches in each 100 feet.
Both tunnels are projected TO run
through sandstone, aud either one Sc
lected would have sandstone roof,
which would materially decrease the
cost. The hole may be cut in either, in
solid stone for the entire distance. The
strata Of sandstone is thirty feet thick,
and underlies soapstone and slate. The
plans for each tunnel show them to be
In section seventeen feet high, and
twenty-five feet wide. The width would
admit Of the construction of sidewalk
FIVE feet wide, and the remaining space
would allow TWO teams TO pass each
other with ease.
A REGISTER reporter asked the en-
gineer as to the probable cost OF the
proposed tunnel. Il could place con-
tract for either tunnel at once for $751;
OOO," was the reply. Mr.. Browne had
not completed his estimates, and was Of
the opinion that the work could be done
for a less amount. This estimate is a
great deal less than IL has been popular
! " supposed would be required to bore
the hole through the hill. Some persons
have estimated the cost as high as
$3.50 600, and 100000 has been consid-
cred q conservative estimate.
Engineer Browne also prepared q
map, showing the location OF the two
proposed tunnels and the relative dis
lance from central points to points east
OF the hill, by present routes compared
with the proposed tunnel routes. As
Stunning that Sixteenth and McCulloch
streets are the present route OF travel,
Mr.. Browne made the following esti-
mates Of the distance to be saved by
tha proposed tunnel route: from the
postofice, ?, 900; from Fourteenth street,
one-half mile; from Twelfth street
three-fourtbs mile; from Tenth street,
all points north OF Tenth street, and
Island. one mile.