New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-06
CHANGES ON THE BRIDGE.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE AND WHAT IS
CONTEMPLATED
SLOW WORK AT THE NETWORK END-THE NEW
TERMINAL IN BRooKLYN-ELEvATED AND

span which has become great a necessity to
those whom business or pleasure compes to cross
the East River at frequent intervals that 1t may
truthfully be said to be indispensable. The recent
interruption or partial interruption OF travel for
few hours showed to what dire straits the people
OF Brooklyn would be reduced II circumstances
should arise rendering the OF the Bridge impos-
sibe for even few days. But that Is something
not at a.. likely to occur. and II Is the necessity OF
avoiding II which causes the work at the New-fork
terminus to advance at a rate which often seems
exasperatngly slow.
At the same time steady progress is being made.
any who takes careful note OF the appear
ance OF things from week to week cannot but OBJ
Only a small section OF the roof OF the old
station now remains in place. and that will doubt
less be removed In the next few days. In view OF
all that is being done. 1t would be surprising IN
deed II Bridge passengers were not put TO some IN
convenience. Not a great deal OF complaint, how
ever has been made except on account OF the addi-
tonal flights OF stairs which have to be climbed.
and the long walk which passengers now have TO
take in the direction OF Brooklyn before the cars
are reached. This last is only temporary matter
the present platforms have been built well toward
the river in order to leave for the permanent
platforms which will be placed between the new
and the old terminus OF the railroad.
Some people seem to think that because the new
Brooklyn station is a block or more to the south
ward OF the old similar change Is to be made
in New-York. and that The present long walk VIII
always be OF the necessary things In connection
with boarding the Bridge cars. The new station IN
New-York however, is to stand on the site OF the
old one, but II will have greater width ana the
arrangement Of the platforms will be different. Inc
level OF the platforms will be the same as 'hat
OF the temporary platforms In use. though
why 1t is necessary TO raise them above the old level
is not easy to understand.
VARIOUS SHIFTS AND DEVICES
In meeting the demands OF passengers during the
making OF the alterations various shifts and devices
have been resorted TO- The latest the opening
last week OF a stairway the centre OF the new
platform on which passengers going from BROOKLYN
to New-York discharged. and connecting IL with
a walk underneath the new structure for the ran
road outside OF the permanent platform yet to be
built. This has proved effective In allowing the
passengers arriving by train TO get out OF the
way in advance OF the arrival OF the next one and
prevents the choking up of the stairways ana pas
sages previously In use.
A similar arrangement was made two or three
weeks ago the opposite side OF the station Out
in order reach the stairway of the outgoing plat
form the eastern end 1t is necessary to go
down six steps. In addition to all the stairs
that have to be climbed by weary passengers
Most Bridge travellers realize that these arrange
ments only for the time being, and submit 10
them with cheerfuness when they realize that the
alternative might be the suspension OF travel by the
Bridge cars altogether. which would certainly be
calamity OF large proportions
one OF the first things noticed in connection with
the new switching arrangements at the New-York
end was the just before entering the station
which Is not exactly means OF grace to passengers
who are compelled to stand in crowded trains and
causes them to lose their balance and recover It
more or less awkwardly No sooner han they be-
come accustomed TO this. however. than the change
resulting from taking possession OF the new sta
ton in Brooklyn occurred. Everybody knew all
about the curve on entering the old station and was
prepared for IT. But that curve is now passed over
al more than twice the rate OF speed with which 1t
was formerly taken. and therefore Bridge travel
lers have new lesson TO learn. and those forced TO
stand seize the straps quickly when the Brooklyn
anchorage is reached. and hang on desperately I'M
til the new station Is entered.
THE NEW STATION IN BROOKLYN.
The station Is comfortable commodous and
much better arranged than the old one. There Is
ample room for enough ticket-sellers to accommo-
date all who want to buy tickets without COMPEL
ing the forming OF long lines; the stairways have
gentle slope that makes climbing or descending
them compa ratively easy, and the platforms are OF
generous proportions For the present and until the
new station at the other end is finished. there Will
be no changes made in the running OF trains. but
ultimately It is the intention to operate just twice
worked up to gradually, the Roadway, which Is now
ninety seconds being reduced first to sixty. and In
the end to fortyfve seconds during the hours when
travel Is heaviest.
The Brooklyn station. though now In use. Is by no
means finished for 1t is to be carried out at the
north end on the same general plan as at the south
not beyond sands-st. and through IT the of the
Brooklyn elevated road Will run, Just as they now
ever that company is totally unable to make loop
around the station, and Is competed 10 run i its
in the old station On account OF the new connec-
tons and also because the company began the oper
delay last Sunday and Monday, and large numbsrs
Of passengers were seriously Inconvenience The
difficulty has since been adjusted ana trains are
run with reasonable promptness
SOME MUST CHANGE CARS.
The old connection between the York-st. line Of
this company and the Bridge has been broken. and
hence all passengers the Ridgewood line who
wish to reach the Bridge have TO change cars at
either Navy-st. Vanderbllt-ave. or Washngton-ave'
1t is the companys intention. however when It's
station is completed. to run Its R.dgewood and
Myrtle-ave. trains to the Bridge and 10 operate
shuttle cars 10 Fulton Ferry from the Navy-st
station. An attempt was made last year to run
the Ridgewood cars directly 10 the Bridge ont IL
and after few weeks the plan was abandoned uh-
til complete facilities for carrying i out SHOULD r De
furnished on the completion OF the new Bridge
In the old station Frfth-ave trains stood on the
north side OF the platform. and East Newly ork
trains on the south side. This arrangement has now
been reversed for reasons that the travelling pupc
Is unable to fathom. 49,
The connection between the Kings County Ele-
W. ted road and the Bridge station has been estab-
rshed substantially as It Will remain after the
final completion OF the station. As was the case In
the cd station passengers have 10 traverse gallery
OF considerable length 10 reach the Bridge, ana not
a little stair-climb.ng Is involved.
THE SURFACE RAILROADS AND THE BRIDGE.
AS vet the surface railroad In Fulon-st. have
made no advance toward closer connection with
the Bridge. II Is known that the Brooklyn
Heights Company is DESTROYS OF securing the priv
ilege OF laying tracks in Liberty-st. and on the
plaza but its plan has been resolutely opposed BY
Wayor Schcren and by the bes; public sentiment OF
the city Just now the company like Brer Rabbit.
is living low 1t probably realizes that public senti-
nent Is too strong TO permit Il to carry this plan
into effect and 1t will walt In the expectation that
a more convenient season VIII arrive. That the
profect has been abandoned Is too much To nope.
passengers from these trolley cars have TO walk the
length OF short block to reach the BridKe but ne