The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-23
pAErMrNrs or VEL YonK.
Some Expected improvements which ConsO'
idatiOn Does Not Seem to Have Hastened.

Some Expected improvements which ConsOl
idatiOn Does Not Seem to Have Hastened.
Before the consolidation Of Brooklyn. Staten
Island. the Queens county towns and the Bronx
Valley villages with the city of New York there
were $50 miles of paved streets in what are
now the borouRhs Of Manhattan and the
Bronx. SIS in the borough Of BROOKLYN and 30
miles Of paved streets In tho other boroughs. a
total OF LOO miles in the whole territory. Be-
fore consolidation It was said that the delay In
the extension Of the system OF pavement was
due chiefly to the leRalio obstacles which existed
against procuring the money necessary for
new outlays for payements. particularly in the
districts OF Brooklyn and the Bronx. AL mat
ters Of street improvements. 50 far as possible.
were held in allegiance until the Greater New
York project should be an accomplished fact
On Jan. 1. 1893. and then. 1t was declared.
the pavements OF New York would vie with
those of any other city Of the country both in
stability and excellence Of the pavements used.
as required by the large mercantile traffic Of
the city. by pedestrians. cyclists. electro
motors. cabs and Gssrisges; :, ..o consss
sioner Of, Highways. however. It seems that
none of these expected results has been at
haitian. as seems from this report. less than
400 miles Of paved streets and there are more
not include Of course. the borough OF the
Bronx. In which the showing Is far, from a
good one. There are in that borough, It APP
pears from the report, 331 miles OF public
erably less thar. half. are paved.
Nearly, 200 miles are, entirely ;unpaved. and
It is said concerning them in the report that
though in bad order during the winter
months, they improve with the advent OF
borough. five miles only were asphalted.
about one mile was covered with brick pave;
ment. 81 miles OF granite, II OF trap block and
the balance macadam,
In the borough Of Brooklyn there were. By
the Commissioner Of HighYays.,s report: 525
Streets exclusive Of those not open to public
travel. OF the paved streets nearly one-half.
240 miles. were still laid with primitive and un-
suitable cohblestones. and It does not appear
cobblestones with more suitable pavement.
Only two contracts were given out during the
year for brick payements. OF Brooklyn streets
80 miles are laid with asphalt, 112 miles with
granite. ~ miles with macadam and a with
Belgian block. the balance being made up Of
eobblestone. pavement. brick pavement and
dirt roads," as they are called.
In the borough OF Queens there are 1926
miles of paved streets, chiefly Of macAdam,
and in thia respect. Queens is far In advance OF
mile Of oobblestone pavement In the whole
borough OF Queens, but what passes as ma
cadam" there Is the ordinary country road
upon q stone foundation.
borough Of Richmond. ,nearly, all Of which are
York there are nearly 1900 miles OF streets.
about one-half. OF which are. properly speak
ing. paved. and there has been practically no
idation OF the several 6oroughs. Some pay
ing has been taken up and replaced. There
Is . promise OF seine new pavement next year.