The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-07
nc street RnlImnr Linee.

The consolidation of the street railways
viii be followed by a re-arrangement Of
the lines, and most likely by the tearing
up Of certain tracks. II is important to the
city and the railway people alike, that
the changes made shall be in the line Of
Improvement. There is an opportunity Of
fered for making Improvements which
would be pleasing to the people, and which
should be acceptable to both the railway
interests and the city authorities.
The lines running north and south should
be arranged so as 70 relieve the narrow
streets Of car tracks and leave them open
for vehicles This could be done easily.
East Broad, Habersham, Abercorn. Bar
nard and West Broad are very wide
streets Each of them is at present dou-
ble-tracked a greater part of its length.
The double-tracking could be completed,
and belts made Of the lines through the
wide streets. so as to permit taking up the
track In Whitaker street. and possibly
Price. The Abercorn and Barnard lines
could be made double track belt. and the
Whitaker street belt abolished without in
convenience to the street car traffic. 1t is
true it would be necessary to walk a lit
tie further from certain points to take
the north and south cars. But the in
creased distance would be very Httles The
wide streets are not more than 800 yards
apart, so that the increased distance to
be walked to the cars would not be great.
In New York and other large cities one
must walk greater distances to reach the
car lines. There would not be much objec-
ton TO taking the few steps additional if
the car service we're made better. In the
business part OF the city there would vir-
tually be no increase of distance to be
walked. Transfers to the east and west
cars on Bay street, st. Julian. Broughton
and Liberty would place passengers in
close touch with the business district,
without inconvenience or loss Of time.
Double tracks should be run down the
center Of the wide north and south streets
named. and between the tracks and in a
strip on each side on those streets which
are now unpaved there should be grass
plats. The streets are wide enough to per-
NIT Of such plats and still leave more than
a suff1ciency of room on each side for
roadway which would accommodate all
OF the driving and hauling traffic. The
grass would beautify the Streets and di-
minish the sand and dust area, two very
desirable considerations. Furthermore the
plats would lessen the area to be paved
when the city gets ready to pave the
streets. The amount of room which can
be spared in the center of the vide streets
is well illustrated in the case Of Oglethorpe
avenue. The plat in the middle of that
street is wider than the roadway and still
the roadway is not cramped.
These are merely suggestions thrown out
and commended to the consideration Of the
authorities. 1t seems that it would be a
good idea for the city authorities and the
railway people to meet together in friend
ly consultation and talk over the matter
Of re-arranging the lines upon a plan
which will not only add to the value of the
property of the railways. but will promote
the beauty of the city and finally save
money to the taxpayers in the matter Of
paving.