New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-11
THROUGH ASPHALT ROUTES.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROGRESS AND CoNrEM-
PLATED FOR THE BENEFIT OF BROOK
LYNITES WHO WHEEL AND DRIVE

PLATED FOR THE BENEFIT OF BROOK
LYNITEs WHO WHEEL AND DRIVE.
There Is an agreeable prospect that In the near
future there will be at least two through routes
in Brooklyn with asphalt or other smooth pave
ment all the way Work or one OF these Is already
well advanced through the repaving with asphalt
OF that part OF Schermerhorn-si which heretofore
has had granite blocks upon IT, 1t will be necessary.
however to connect this street with the recently
laid asphalt on Dean-st., which extends down to
Nevins-st.
1t is the present expectation that the four blocks
on Nevins- st. between Schermerhorn and Dean will
be paved With vtrIhed brick which will probably
be the hrst:eXperiment with brick to be made by
the Department. of City Works. BY means OF tho
asphalt laid On part of Fourth-ave. St. Marks
ave- can be reached and with the link in Nevns-st.
filed UP there will be smooth pavement all the
way from the junction OF Clinton and Fulton sts-
forty or fifty rods from the Bridge-to Prospect
Park When Dean-st. is asphalted between Fourth
and Fifth ayes the route to the Park will be even
more direct At present 1t is rather circuitous. and
involves at least eight turns around right
angles Still 1t will be great boon TO those who
drive and wheel when this Improvement is COM
pleted.
Another through route will be supplied II the plan
now in contemplation is carried out That in
wolves the laying Of asphalt on st. Mark's-ave. be-
tween Vanderbilt and Franklin ayes. This is no
nearly two-thrds OF mile. Last year asphalt was
laid on ST. Mark's-ave. between Bedford and
Franklin ayes. Zone block), and this year the same
kind Of pavement has been put down between
Rogers and Brooklyn ayes. three long blocks).
The little gap OF few yards between Bedford and
Rogers ayes has not yet been covered.
II the four blocks between Franklin and Wander
bilt ayes are similarly reated there will be nearly
two miles straightaway of asphalt this avenue
AS 1t is fine residence street east OF Brooklyn-ave
1t is not unreasonable to suppose that in the near
future the asphalt pavement will be carried further
eastward; possibly In time out to the extension
of the Eastern Parkway. making the avenue fine
driving thoroughfare for the city. Any way 1t will
afford an alternate route to the Eastern Parkway
Asphalt is to be laid this summer on New-York-
ave. for two blocks south OF st. Marks, leaving
only four short blocks TO be paved TO reach the
Parkway 1t is believed that If any strong sent-
ment that direction manfests itself. the city will
respond and put asphalt these four blocks. even
II the property owners do not care to share in
the cost
II ST. Mark's-av Is provided with a smooth
pavement between Vanderbilt and Franklin ayes.
the work will doubtless in the main be done by the
city For most OF this distance the houses of
a poor quality. and 1t hardly be expected that
their would look favorably on any scheme
which compelled them to pay one-half OF the cost
OF the Improvement Some OF the property. how
ever Is owned by wealthy men, and It Is hoped
that they will be willing to do their part. The
city authorities have power under recent legislation
to undertake the work at the cost OF the city at
large Chapter 1908 OF the laws OF 1895 provides as
follows:
The Commissioner of City Works may also from
time time, with the written consent of the
Mayor. repave resurface any street which has
been previously paved at the expense of the prop
erty owners with improved pavement. and any
street which forms a thoroughfare between differ
ent parts OF the city, or which by reason OF its
use ought in his Judgment to be repaved at the ex
pense Of the city at large"
Under the first clause Of this provision the work
In Schermerhorn-st. Is being done. and that in
Nevinsst. will be done It Is the second clause
which applies to the part OF st. Mark save. under
consideration II IL understood that the Mayor ha =
given his consent TO the ST. Marks ave project,
and II is possible that II may be carried into effect
before the present year ends
This will afford fairly eligible route for wheel
men in the Bcdford-ave. district who wish to get
downtown on smooth pavements. though II will by
no do away with the demand for through
route WIlloughby-ave.. which as has been
heretofore pointed ont IN The Tribune. offers the
most practicable line OF communication between
uptown and downtown using those words in a large
and comprehensive sense