The morning times., 1896-12-20
SUBMIT V|ABuCT PLANS
Views of the Commissioners on
Senate Bill No. 2S09.
SUGGEST SUNDRY CHANGES
Construction Should Begin Within
One Year and Be Completed With
in Four Single Niaduct
Instead of Two Recommended on
Delaware Avenue.

The Commissioners returned to Congress
yesterday Senate bill 2SC9, introduced at
the first session Of the Fifty-fourth Con-
Rress. entitled "A bill to provide for the
elevation OF the tracks of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad in the city of Wash
ington,' but known generally as the VIA
duct bin, and with it reported their
views Of the measure, asking that 1T be
amended in sundry particulars and de-
clarinE in favor Of single instead Of a
double viaduct, as noted in the Evening
Times.
The bill contemplates among other things:
That the track elevations be made upon
tie existing route of the company's lateral
or Washington branch for that branch,
and upon a ronte for its Metropolitan
branch changed from First street to Della
ware avenue. the two viaducts for the
track elevation intersecting at Delaware
avenue and II street.
That the viaducts shall be wide enough
to accommodate four tracks and necessary
sidinEs and switches.
That ID street north, between the east
line OF Delaware avenue and the east line
of New Jersey avenue, and the east line
OF Delaware avenue, E street north, be-
tween the east lines of North Capitol street
and Delaware avenue and Della ware avenue
at street north be closed That during
the construction necessary temporary
tracks may be laid on adjacent Streets AMI
that construction must be begun in two
years and completed in six years.
SUBURBAN GRADE CROSSINGS.
no
say, that no provision is made in the
bill for the abolition OF grade crossings
outside of the city of Washington. EN-
perence shows that more accidents occur
at such crossings than at grade crossings
in the city, and it is believed that the
bill should require the speedy abolition of
county grade crossings, either by depress sion
or elevation, and upon plans subject to the
approval Of the Commissioners Paved or
unpaved suburban streets near the city
boundary are substantially city streets 1t
is further judged proper that changes of
grades OF interSecting city streets, intended
TO be authorized by the bill, or any sub
stitute for it, should be under the control
of the Commissioners, and that the plans of
the viaduct should be regulated accordingly
The time of completion of construction,
Y
-Four years is thought to be ample, and, IL
Is urged, that the construction should begin
within one year.
The laying and operation OF temporary
tracks on other streets during constrlc-
ton to greater or less extent will be
necessary for execution Of the plans pro-
posed in tie bill, and will result not only
in expense TO the railroad company, but
il asrp tn I,InIl pl ,nri,- ta
ties and inconvenience to the public, es-
pecially if the yiaduct construction con
tinues during four years.
AGAINST CLOSING STREETS.
The closing of d and streets and
Delawaresvenue at n street is thought to
he unnecessary and unwise, and there
fore Should not be permitted. North Cap
itol street, which would be closed at both
ID and f streets by the bill, ought 60 be
kept open and not lowered any at the
cross streets named.
The elevation Of tracks for head-room
at cross streets, intended by the bilI and
required by the public, would result in
giving sufficient head-room at D. and
y streets; North Capitol street will al
ready have steep grade from to u,
in fact, the stecpest grade OF streets in
Washington, and made so by the lowering
OF the street level by the District to ac-
commodate the surface tracks.
To close d and E streets would trans
fer hauling from their lines to the hll
at street or Massachusetts avenue, for
eastward traffic, or along street, a
residential street in the northeast The
proximity of these streets to the depots
causes more or less hauling upon them.
The reason for closing Delaware avenue
as called for 10y the bill, at street, is
for avoidance of a grade crossing. The
reason for wholly closing the avenue at
ID street, also as called for by the bill,-is
not apparent
The railroad company's model of terminal
structure, patterned in conformity with
the provisions Of the bill, shows a clos
ing OF Delaware avenue from the east
curb to the west building line. between
ID street and point near G street, a
length OF 400 feet.
This grand avenue and North Capitol
street, radiating from the Capitol, should
be retained, at least, in part, for general
street traffic, and for preserving the views
of the Capitol from their spaces, unless
the bluckading of these highways or the
erection of barriers across their vistas
is absolutely unavoidable, which is rot the
case here, as exhibited by plan on plate g.
-FOUR TRACKS SUGGESTED.
viaduct for four tracks will measure
about flfty-fIve feet in width over all or
five feet more than the ordinary avenue
roadway. To permit sidings in addition to
the four main tracks, as proposed in the
bill, will substantially turn Delaware ave-
nue. over exclusively for railroad purposes
and damage all properties fronting itexcept
for use as railroad yards, warehouses. etc.
for which there is no liklihood. it is
judged. of such extensive need.
The freight and passenger stations. be-
ing on the west side Of the ayeImc the
viaduct should be located on that side.
leaving the whole of the roadway and the
east side and ten feet for sidewalk on the
west side free for other use That would
give the railroad company a strip seventy
feet in width next to the west building
line. The provision in the bill for the
pu rchaSe or condemn alton of private
ground should include requirement for
the eXtinguishment by similar means of
the frontage on the west side of the ave
nue.. Tracks now running into private
premises, some of which are on the east
side, have been suffered 10 be established.
III Is believed, without warrant Of law ana
in fact contrary TO the statutes
The advantage to the city of a single
viaduct over two viaducts from the same
depot is evident. The Commissioners pro-
pose route and plan for a single via
duct, which they believe to be practicable
and not unduly inconvenient nor of ad-
diti0ual cost to the railroad companv