St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-06-14
THE VIADUCT QUESTION.
The Reasons for Opposing II.

There is a growing sentiment among
the thinking taxpayers of the town in
opposition to the proposed viaduct, and
as the CALIFORNIAN means to be impair
tial in this matter it gladly gives ex-
preston to this view of the question.
This is a large matter and voters
should look into it inteligently and
thoughtfully before committing the town
to this heavy expense. The town now
has bonded debt of $75,O0O To this
will be added the present year $4,000
for the new Summervile schoolhouse.
Now it is proposed to add to this debt,
already nearly 100000, half as much
more for the construction of the new
viaduct. We say advsedly $4,000 or
more, for the published estimate made by
the Bridge Company was not furnished
to any officer of the town, and comes
with no guarantee that this company
will make an equally low offer, should
the town vote to build. The estimate of
this Bridge Company will not bear
analysis. The lowest price. $27, 500, is
made conditional on the use Of the abut-
ments OF the present highway bridge.
These abutments have been built twenty
five years, are much narrower than the
proposed viaduct and totally inadequate
for such a purpose, while our selectmen
are too good business men to allow the
use OF weak abutments for such a super
including the abutments. Will any
reliable stone mason say that $500 will
build four such abutments This shows
clearly that $35, 900 is the smallest esti-
mate this Bridge Company proposes to
make. Further, this estimate does not
make provision for any expense in grad
ing River street up to the proposed
bridge, nor for filling from Railroad
street to the railroad tracks, nor for an
equal amount at the Summerville end.
But laying aside for moment the actual
cost, let us look at the question of dam
ages, about which very little has been
said. There are nine real estate owners
whose property abuts this portion oil
Portland street, who will be entitled to
heavy damages, aside from the Bay
street property which does not abut
Portland street, the damage to which
must be borne by the owners. While the
railroad commission, if it should order
such bridge, would undoubtedly appor
ton the expense of building over the
tracks, between the railroads and the
town, the entire cost of the bridge and
abutments and all that portion east o
the river including damages must be
borne by the town alone, making the
viaduct cost us not less than $50,OO0
with probability of exceeding that sum
Beside the annual interest of this heavy
debt it is fact that there will be con.
stant expense in renewing the plank floor
| i"S, iNP'ihlihS lHS iIou WOrK ana Otner
necessary repairs. Nor can it be denied,
that with such viaduct, there will be
greater danger to pedestrians and teams,
by reason of horses frightened by the
constant passing and repassing of trains
beneath them, than is the case even with
the present arrangement.
We understand that at the town meet
ing on Saturday, June II, there will be
presented plans superior as to safety,
economy of maintenance and economy OF
time in reaching all parts Of the village,
whose expense to the town will be not
more than tenth of the cost of the via
duct. 1t is hoped that the voters will
come to this meeting in full force, pre-
pared to discuss frankly and clearly and
to decide wisely, this important question.