Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16

Is constantly going on, and there is scarce
}y minute during the day when the cross
ing is not INSTRUCTED by at least two trains.
With the Rapidly increasing traffic and
corresponding decrease in Roadway be-
tween trains the difficulty is even now in
an acute stage. Before long the problem
must be solved. 1t is certain that the So
luton will be a simplification of tracks,
with all switching of cars done off the pub
lie street, with abundant accommodate
for standing trains and reasonable shelter
and protection for waiting passengers, so
as to permit their transfer with rapidity
and safety.
1.-The map 1 have prepared shows the
present tracks and suggested plan for a
union station. A glance shows how COM
pleteiy the present crowded and dangerous
condition can be remedied. The station
would occupy ground on both SIDES of 9Th
street, reaching to 9th and to 7th street
each way. Eighth street at this point is
OILY fifty feet in width, and terminating a
short distance north of Florida avenue, is
but little Travelled, consequently the two
lines of double track crossing cannot be
seriously Objectionable. BY this plan both
the 9TH street and Chevy Chase cars will
Ell ter and leave from the 9th street front,
While the 7th street cable and the Bright
wood trolley cars enter and leave from the
Ith street front. Thus all tracks in Florida
avenue and both intersections at 7th and
otn streets would be abandoned, while each
line would be enabled to have its own
separate tracks for making up and for
"aitlng trains, In close proximity for con-
Fenlehce or transfer to each of the others.
The station has been considered in its
Simplest form, as merely a car shed wi h
platforms On level with car steps between
each track. Any additions such as office
or Walt'ig rooms, have rot been consd-
cred. Regarding the probable cost 1t can
only be es timated approxima tely, but as
compared with the cost of the union sta
uon now Icing constructed in Georgetown
1t must be very small. The cost of the
necessary ground back of the business
frontage on Florida averUe now occupied
Ly small owellil gs and stores, would Ger
fanny not be greater, and there are no en-
glneering difficulties such as the rock eX-
caVation and costly retaining walls called
Tor IN the West End AS probably not
more than forty-five thousand square fee:
OF ground would be requred-that is a
strip one hundred feet in width running
through the two bloCks-the entire ex-
pense including all changes in tracks,
could be safely estimate within one hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars.
"A station of the size indicated would
permit the Metropolitan to reach 7th street
and the brse ball park, giving both of the
main city lines ample track room. Allow
ance has been made for passenger plat
forms fifteen feet in width between the diff
ferent tracks and twelve feet in width on
the sides, or considerably wider than the
average city sidewalk. This session CT
Congress is probably too far advanced to
get any action this year, but the necessi-
ties OF the case are too urgent to brook
railroads concerned to get together On
some such plan as is here presented before
being con- PEELED to so 90 by legislative ac-
ton