The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-25
A VIADUCT TO THE HILL
4 RICHMOND COxPAET VIII Ask
rHE COUNCIL FOR a FRANCHHE
Railway from the Boulevard Down Broad
street to Church HiIl-Frec Walk and
Drive Ways for the City.

IL now looks very muNH II klch-
mond Is to have a visduct extending from
Twelfth to Twenty-fourth street, or there
abouts. on Broad, and also an electric
or cable line connecting the Exposition
Grounds with the East-End.
Mr.. John c. Robertson, during the last
Legislature, obtained the right to con-
struct electric or other lines IN different
parts Of the State. As a sequel to this
a company OF Richmond men has been
organized to build a street railway to
run from the Boulevard eastward on
Broad street to the neignDorhood OF st.
Johns church, and thence n~orthward to
VenabIe street neighborhood. The d.
rectors OF the company are; John G..
Robertson, Clay Drewry, T.. A. Catlin.
S. $. p. Patteson, George b. McAdams,
Beverly Il. Munford, Richard ii. Smith.
T.. T.. ID. Myers, Jr. The oiiicers OF the
company are: John c. Robertson presi-
de IT and general manager; u. A. Catlin,
secretary: Richard II. smith. treasurer,
Il. T. ID. Myers, Jr., engineer In charge.
The Plan Proposed.
When seen last night Mr.. T.. T. D..
NI1tTH. JI., the II AfN 1880
THE proposition 20 construct a railway
down Broad Street and a viaduct con-
Meeting the West End with Church Hill
has been before the city Council several
times during the past few years. but there
was always a proposal for the city to
meet part OF the expense. THIS the Coun-
Gil would not agree 20. and the matter
was never put into definite shape FOR
action. The new company Just organized
will proceed upon 70 different plan. We
purpose going before the Counci at the
next meeting Of that body, ana asking
for a franchise 10 build the road and
viaduct without any expense 10 the city.
For the right to do this we VIII give the
city free walk and drive-ways over the
viaduct.
1T is our purpose 20 construct a double
track line from the Boulevard eastward
on Broad TO a point near Twenty-t0urth
street. and thence northward TO the neigh
borhOod OF Nenable street. Ihls VIII bring
into much closer communication the resi-
dents Of the West End with the people
of Church Hill, and be a source OF great
convenience to the shoppers OF the East
End doing business on Broad street. as
well as the clerks and other employees
Of the retail houses on Broad street living
on Church Hill.
at has not been decided whether We will
build an electric or cable line, or, indeed,
what kind Of power we shall employ. in
case the Council grants us he franchise
for which We shall ask. We may build an
electric line. / think 1t likely that IS
what it will be; either that or something
better.
"Of course, we have decided upon no
definite plan as yet. All this will be done
later. Ny idea is to construct a viaduct
with ample space on each side FOR con-
veyances TO pass In opposite directions.
The width OF the viaduct will, OF course,
be sufficient for this. The best plan, l
think, would be 10 have 9. walkway on
either side the c~ar-line for foot-passen-
gers, and nave the drive underneath.
This would permit Of more space for both
walkway and driveway, and horses would
not be liable TO become frightened from
the cars. A two-story plan would be
much preferable, in my opinion"
The Cost.
When asked as TO the expense Of build
ing such a structure, Mr.. Myers said IL
would cost about $4,000. Said he: The
expense avoided by forcing cars up the
hills on Broad street would cover the In
terest on the investment. You see, II
would require much power TO carry the
cars up these hills. and having a level on
the viaduct would do away with this.
The view up and down James river 10
pleasure seekers and people driving over
Chimborazo Park and the %neighbor-
hood. will be quite a feature, and the con-
v%enience TO the public a matter Of con-
sideration. This road and viaduct has
been long needed in Richmond"
sFNEiI vofr road no "a connecting line
with the present Clay-street lineF' | ask
ed.
'In a sense, yes. We will catch the
shoppers and clerks back and forth in
the morning and evening. OF course 1t
is possible that some arrangement with
the Richmond Railway and Electric Com
pany may be made as 10 transfers, etc,
but at present we have no such intention.
IL, after We get the line in operation
it proves advantageous 10 the two COM
panies to adopt such an arrangement.
why. OF course, il may be done. That Will
be decided hereafter.
IF the Council grants the franchise
we shall start to work as soon as posi-
bic. beginning at the Boulevard and pro-
ceeding eastward. We hope 10 have the
line some distance down Broad street
when the Exposition opens next fall, so
as to catch the passengers on their way
TO the Exposition Grounds.
81 presume the company VIII build
branch lines later on. Certainly so, II
such be seen TO be advantageous. Every
member Of the company Is a Richmond
man, and they mean business. Already
quite a number of ~well-known business
men have signihed their intention to
stock in the movement