Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-02
GRADE CROSSINGS
Important Action by Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad.
AGREEMENT With COMMISSIONERS
Elevated Tracks and Change of
Route in Northeast.
BUT ONE SET OF TRACKS


What appears to be one great step toward
doing away with grade crossings in the
city has been taken by the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company. AS has been re-
ported from time to time in The Star this
company and the District Commissioners,
and also the Baltimore and Potomac Rail-
road Company, have held a number of con-
ferences on the subject of grade crossings,
and while the Baltimore and Ohio COM
pany is the only one which has so far SUBJ
mi;ted its plans as agreed upon by the
company and The Commissioners to the
public. it can he stated that the Baltimore
and Potomac company and the Commits
sioners have reached n conclusion. and that
the plans of the company are expected 10
be shortly submitted 10 the public through
the office of Commissioners.
The agreement reached between the Com
n,issioners aTG the Baltimore and Ohio
company provides for but one set of tracks
inside the city limits. To accomplish that
the Washington branch tracks are diverted
at the MCn;ello station. just beyond the
Ivy City station. and carried in SOUTH
westerly direction through the old Ivy City
race track grounds. parallel with New
York avenue extended. to lexington. where
branch. Not, however, the tracks of the
metropolitan branch, DIS they now exist,
for the tracks of the Metropolitan branch,
as they Eow exist, will be abandoned at
tracks passing from that point in a south
erly direction. and striking Delaware
avenue at about Florida avenue, and thence
down Delaware avenue to the terminal Of
the road.
Location of Depot.
This terminal by the way, has not yet
been definitely decided upon by the COM
Hany, and fer that reason the location of
the depot is still a matter of conjecture
The new tracks ara shown by heavy
black line on the map submitted to the
Commissioners. 1t is proposed to form a
~ north OF Florida avenue, instead of
having IL within the city limits, as il is at
present. Hence the tracks Of the Wash
ington branch join those Of the Me;ropoli-
tan branch al or il the vicinity of New
YORK avenue between Sd and 4th streets
cast, and from that point to the terminal
Of the road in the city there will, above
explained, b. but one set of tracks, the
tracks Of the Metropolitan branch now on
1st street, as we'll as these of the Washing
ten branch south oe Montello, as they now
exist, being abandoned.
All the tracks within the city limits,
under tie agreement reached with the
Baltimore and Ohio company, will be ele-
'ated. the streets passing under them. The
arches over the cross streets will BE- of
masonry whenever practicable, and when
the span is too great to admit of that, it
will be of steel, filled in with ballast, SO as
to reduce the noisa of passing trains to
Minimum
Solid Viaduct.
The elevation of the tracks out Delaware
avenue will be by means of solid viaduct
with masonry retaining walls. The work
will be of the very highest character, al
lowing great speed, and there will be ele-
waited sidings on Delaware avenue. There
Will b. a roadway, Of course retained on
either side of the viaduct on Delaware
avenue, and the abandonment of the tracks
in the city limits will. it is expected, enable
the District to obtain the right of way on
tbs east side of the Columbian Institution
for the Deaf and Dumb, at Kendall Green
for much-needed diagonal avenue
The streets north of Florida avenue will
be carried over the tracks by substantial
and handsome bridges, the tracks being,
Of course, somewhat depressed. There will
be no interference with New York avenue
whatever, as that thoroughfare will pass
under the tracks at lexington, and run
parallel with the tracks of the Washing
ton branch beyond. The revised plans for
the second section of the proposed plan
OF street extension. now that this agree
ment has been reached with the Baltimore
and Ohio company, will probably be ready
for the inspection of those interested in a
few days, they having been held back until
after the agreement had been concluded.
Part of Land Purchased.
1t Is understood the Baltimore and Ohio
company has already purchased some OF
the land over which 1t proposes to pass.
but that there will be the necessity for
condemnation proceedings in order to Sc
cure other land it Is now apparent, and
Congress will be asked to grant such au-
thority Permission will also have to be
obtained for the proposed change of route,
and for the change of the present terminal
Of the company, should that be deter
mined upon; but it is understood the COM
pany will be unable to. ask Congress for
al! this authority at this session, because
yet remaining to be done in the matter.
Early next session, however. it is said, the
company will have all its plans in such
shape that they can be at once laid before
Congress, and the required authority will
be asked for in measure to be meantime
prepared by the company.