The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-09-18
DON'T WANT IT.
"A Grade Crossing at the Deckers
Greek Bridge.

Demand That the Road be Elevated
Over the Black Bottle Track-Rea-
sons for the Plan and Objections to
All Other Possible Arrangements
Grade Crossing Very Dangerous,
Expensive and Exasperating--A Case
For the Town Councils to Consider.
There is one phase of the new
bridge across Deckers Creek which
has not been noticed by very many
people and which is very impor-
tant one. 1t is the effect that the
building of the Morgantown APP
proach will have ON the construction
of the Blackbottle.
This road will undoubtedly be
built. The first legal step toward
this consummation has been taken.
A decree of sale has been made.
This of course will enable the pur-
chasers to get clear title. The adj
vantages of the road are so many
and so various that no difficulty
will be experienced in disposing of
the property. 1t will be done soon
and the probabilities that but avery
short time comparatively will elapse
before trains will be running up the
creek.
Where the road crosses the Nor
gantown approach to the new bridge
serious problem is presented. The
railroad cannot go any lower than it
is at present owing to the fact that
if it did every freshet viii flood it
and stop traffic. 1t is impractica-
Bile to raise it any higher as it is al
ready trestled up a considerable dis
lance and raising it would make a
bad grade to get into the depot and
would be bad arrangement other.
wise.
No one wants grade crossing
here. Such crossing at that point
would be an extremely dangerous
one. The road comes around sharp
turns and down considerable grades
to the bridge. To have railroad
crossing at such a point is a very
great menace to the travelling pub
lie. To obviate it Waterman would
have to be kept there constantly
This would be a useless expense
and not very satisfactory method
after all.
Besides the danger OF such a
crossing there would be the delays
caused by trains blockading the
crossing. This would be considera-
BILE now and will greatly increase
from year to year as the population
of the towns increase. 1t would be
a constant source Of delay and loss
and should be avoided.
For these and other reasons which
will readily suggest themselves the
crossings should not be t grade
but one should be elevated over tho
other The only one practicable tc
elevate is the county road.
i The railroad should not go above
the road on the score of greater ex
pense, of greater difficulty, more en-
cheering difficulties to be overcome
and its undesirability on other scores
A railroad above a road would be o
great disadvantage to the travelling
public. Teams would be constant
| ly soaring and vexations would mul
tiply from this source.
On the other hand there can be NJ
reason why the bridge cannot b.
raised and every argument to sup
port that proposition. On eithe
side there is steep descent. Thii
would be helped to some extent if thu
bridge were raised. The cost of th'
, undertaking would not be very
i much and all the drawbacks ant
, disadvantages of the plan would b.
avoided
The councils should thorough,
investigate this matter before de
cision is made about the amount tn
approaches are to be elevated ant
make them conform to condition
which will be the best for all con
cerned.