New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-12
OF INTEREST TO WHEELMEN
THE HANCOCK-ST ASPHALT LIKELY TO
BE EXTENDED TO BUSHWICKAVE.
IMPROVING THE PROSPECT PARK DRIvEs-PLEAs-
ANT RIDING ON LOWER sECoND-AVE.-
THE BEST ROUTE FROM CI.INroN-sT.
TO THE BR1DGE-DISTANCES
ON LONG ISLAND


ON LONG ISLAND.
Tho prospect of a speedy Improvement in the
condition OF Hancock-st east OF the point to which
the asphalt pavement now extends is most well
come Unfortunately. the plans under way do
not provide for complete connection with the
smooth ribbons on Bushwick-ave. contract mas
already been made and certified for An asphalt
pavement in Hancock-st. from Broadway to Cen
tral-ave.. and 1T Is expected that the work there
that that It It viii be finished his fan contrast has
Hahn and Howard ayes. but this has not yet been
certified It is hoped h .%sr smab tSe
work be proceeded With here wIq%
and ROADWAY to be filled in. on the ground OF
connecting horoughfaIes the Mayor and innT n
ordering that part Of the work to be done at The
expense of the city at large anG s his i'm
portant improvement
For q small thing the bit OF asphalt recently put
down on the east side OF Nostrand-ave. between
Hancock and TIalsey SITS, is an excellent improve
ment When the strip OF smooth pavement was
laid on the other side of the cartracks on TINS
block there considerable wonder because only
half of the avenue was made available Tor bicycles
and especially because the half most likely 10 Lt
crowded with other vehicles had been chosen The
result showed that room was needed Tor the
cyclists since many had to dismount on account OF
the people WAITING to k sed 6he wagon sags AZ was T
Ing next the curbstcne there was not room enough
fOr a
vet those going toward IIancocl-st always felt I'M
PEELED to travel on the smooth part OF IhG p'Ve We
mgs eye" All 'r causes Of trouble have now
done away. and there is room ior al comers ne-
men Jenersonaye. however and the asph;hit
ing OF the abomnable intersection at I9n aPn.nc
and Halsey SITS. will be materially diminished
Credit is due TO Park Commissioner Detmer for
| the marked improvement that has been made In
the drives of Prospect Park. They were in bad
condition during most OF the summer. II Is true.
but II is not true to say that at any time they
were unreliable or dangerous. 1t was merely un-
comfortable to ride over them as they had become
badly guttercd by the heavy rains which washed
| away the top dressing OF gravel. The most notice
able improvement has been made on the West
Drive. between the top of, OF inc big mn ana the
surfaced and the gravel has been thoroughly rolled
down. This part OF the Park drives has never
now work is in progress on p1 the drive which runs
ssns h 5 s e eF pOpaa roe
the Park, especially on the return trip from the
and asd'i more r" easy than on the West Drive
| In going to the Bridge the shortest route Is by
Liberty-st from the end. or rather the beginning,
| OF Cllnton-st.. but It is not the best Although
IIberty-st. IL used comparatively little II has a
pavement that IL anything but smooth. On the
contrary the granite blocks in Fulton-st were
| laid uncommony well. and II Is far com
Portable to ride over them than TO go on the same
sort OF pavement Lberty-st. Moreover. a cy-
clst is likely TO meet with little obstruction I'M
der the elevated rond; as the greater part OF the
teams go through Liberty-st. Liberty-st. is so
broad that there would be plenty OF room for
phalt strips on the sides without interfering with
| the ordinary traffic In the least and such an i'm
provement Is demanded In the interest OF the large
| number OF wheelmen crossing the Bridge. The
| nearest point 20 the Bridge 10 be reached on as
| phalt is at Henry and Orange ste. Both Pineap-
| pie and Clark SIS. are paved with asphalt TO Full
ION st. and bring one little nearer the Bridge
| entrance than CIinton-st. but the great approach
| 10 the Bridge Is by the latter. and bly, al
! ways Will he.
As respects the Bridge Itself. II Is obvious that
G rcat Improvement would he effected II "a strip of
| asphalt two and a hail or three feet wide were
laid on the inner side Of each Of the roadways: but
in view Of the prospect that a special path may be