The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-04
THE TYPICAL PLANS,

For the purpose of comparing and
discussing the projects, We have select
ed the two that best typify the de-
pressed and the elevated plans.
We believe that in doing this, their
relative merits may be more clearly
shown. We have selected for this pur-
pose project l, which contemplates the
complete elevation Of the tracks, and
project 8, which contemplates their par
tial depression. Our reasons for this
selection are as follows:
AS may be seen from the detailed de-
scriptions in the appendix, compari-
son of the projects for a complete and
for partial elevation of the tracks
over the principal streets dictates that
the former project had greater advant-
ages for the city, because the crossings
of the most important streets are not
disturbed by it, while in the latter they
are depressed materially. A compari-
son between the partially and com
pletely depressed system, including the
plan for eliminating the two upper
falls in Millbrook sewer, led US to pre-
fer the first Of these projects for the
following reasons:
Millbrook sewer is undisturbed, ex-
Cept for a short distance near Lincoln
square, an advantage that in our opin-
ion is of great moment. By the pres
erVatiOn of this main sewer, practice
ally in its present position, all of the
lateral sefers remain undistufbed and
a very serious arrangement Of the sew
erage system In this part of the city is
avoided
In addition, the sidings are left in a
better position and the difficulties of
construction would be materially less
than by the other plans for the de-
preston Of the tracks.
The complete elevation of the tracks
of the southern railroads require them
to be raised is feet at the Union sta
tion and kept at a sufficient elevation
in their westerly course along the BOs-
ton and Albany railroad. to pass over
the highways and the South Worces-
ter Junction they finally rejoin the
present tracks at Cambridge street.
On the northern railroads this plan
provides for crossing the streets i'm
mediately to the north of the station,
in such a manner as to cause the least
disturbance of their present levels. The
tracks descend at once after passing
Summer street, SC as to permit the re-
rention Of as many sidings as possible,
and, after reaching Central street, they
rise so as to cross all the highways,
including Lincoln square, without alter
ing their grades and rejoin the present
tracks at Garden street.
the railroads lowers the tracks at I'm
ion station 14.5 feet, and in their west
erly course along the Boston and AL
bany railroad, allows them to cross as
near the top of Millbrook sewer as
practicable.A After descending sufficient
ly to pass under Green street without
disturbing it's present grade, they con-
tinue at a low level to Southbridge
street, a which point the street and
the railroad practically change posi-
lions beyond which the tracks rise to
their present level at Cambridge street.
On the northern railroads. this plan
Contemplates d nearly level grade in
A uOrtherly direction, fixed as near the
water line Of Mill brook sewer as prac-
ticable, which neCessitat=s the raising
OF the highways, including Lincoln
square, ana the lowering of q portion
of the sewer, The railroad would then
rise to Join the present level of the
tracks at a point about one-thlrd Of
mile north of Garden street.