New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-04
TRACK ELEVATION AT LAST.
THE ERIE RAILROAD COMPANY TO SUR
NIT ITS PLANS TO-DAY.
PROBABILITY THAT JERSEY CITY OFFICIALS WILL,
REJECT THEM-CoNTENTIoN OVER THE
STOCK YARDS SPUR LIKELY TO DE-

LAY THE ABOLITION OF
GRADE CROSSINGS
The plans for the elevation Of the tracks OF the
Erie Railroad Company will probably be sub
mtted to the Street and Water Board OF Jersey
City to-day They will probably be rejected as
some of the city officials desire the railroad com
pany TO elevate its stock yards spur which now
crosses Pavonia-ave. at grade
The railway company is averse TO making this
change. insisting that it is not feasible. and CON
tending that the city should raise the street and
bridge over the spur. This may cause hitch
and delay the elevation OF the tracks for many
months. Two trolley-car lines are operated on
Pavonla-ave.. and they will bring TO bear all
possible influence to induce the city officials to
compel the Erie company TO elevate its spur
Inc plans OF the Erie company for the track
elevation have been Seen only by the railway
company s. engineers and officials and few OF
the city officials. They have not been exhibited
to the public. and will not be until received by
the Street and Water Board Those who have
seen them state that it is to be an iron structure
similar to that OF the PENNSYLVANIA Railway
Company in Jersey City with room for four
tracks. 1t will be a bridgelike affair as the COM
pany contemplatas making no alterations either
at its station or tunnel There will be q gradual
rise to Henderson-st. the first crossing almost
half mile from the station. where 1t will be
thirteen feet above the grade of the street. At
Grove-st.. Ernest. and Jersey-ave. II will be
fourteen feet above the grade Then the descent
will begin toward the tunnel. 1t will be thir-
teen feet above the level Of Monmouthst, the
last street that Will be left open and will reach
the mouth of the tunnel at the present grade.
Provost-st. which is OPEN and Barnum and
Kelso SITS east Of Henderson-st.. and Brurs-
wick and Division SITS. west OF Monmouth-st.,
will be vacated The cost of the structure will
be about 81 100000.
The city officials endeavored for long time
TO persuade the Erie company TO adopt plan
like that Of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany. which erected second story to its station
and laid It's elevated tracks on level from the
depot to its cut through the Heights. This
would have saved the abandonment Of the i'm
proved streets. and enabled the city to open
Barnum Keso and Division SITS The Erie
Railway officials declared the company was not
in condition 10 comply, as the cost would be
several million dollars. a debt thai the COM
pany could not contract without serious en-
barrassment. Many plans were suggested by the
City Engineer and officials. but the railway
company would only agree 10 structure tlat
could he put up at the least possible eXpendi-
ture The city officials were forced TO make con
cessions. and finally agreed TO surrender the
five streets
The spur across Pavonia- was not abso-
lutely overlooked but the serious opposition that
has developed to allowing the railway company
to continue its grade crossing was not ahlici'
patad and a vigorous effort was made 10 IN
duce the Erie company to run the spur from us
elevated structure across the avenue. The ran
way company, however. would not consent An
effort is now being made to persuade the street
and Water Board 20 ratfy the plans which the
Erie company will submit and leave the spur
for future consideration.