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

The complete elevation of the railroad
tracks in the city of Worcester is re-
commended by the special commission
of engineers as the best plan for adop
ton by the city for the abolition Of the
grade crossings in Worcester.
The report of this commission, which
has been anXiously awaited, was sub
mitted at the meeting Of the city coun-
ell last night and was ordered printed.
No further action was taken on the
matter and no petition was received
from the citizens committee for a hear
ing on it's plans for the abolition Of
grade crossings by the depression Of
the tracks
The report of the engineers commits
sion is somewhat voluminous. Most all of
the various plans for the solution Of the
greatest puzzle that has ever confront
| ed the city have been considered, and
after consideration the three engineers,
Rudolph Herring Of New York, Desmond
! Fitzgerald Of Boston and City Engin-
eer Mcclure of Worcester, unanimous
! ly agree that the plan most feasible and
satisfactory in all respects is the plan
for the complete elevation of the rail-
| road tracks above the streets Of the
city.
The plan next commencing itself to
! their favor is one for a partial depres-
sion Of the tracks, but this, In their
! opinion, would be surrounded with SER
ious difficulties, on account Of the in
reference with brick buildings and
other property on both sides Of the rail-
road locations and from the quick
sands to be encountered, and which
would lend further difficulties in the
conducting of traffic while the work Of
abolition was progressing.
The scheme for a change of location
in the channel Of Millbrook is consd-
cred Objectionable on account of the
quicksands and the property damages
attending the raising Of several streets
along the lines of The northern rail-
roads. Furthermore, with this plan
the depressed tracks Of the northern
roads are to be located dangerously
near the present Millbrook arch, which
is not changed for some distance, even
with the relocation scheme. The vi
brations of passing railroad trains
would, in the opinion of the engineers,
be a matter OF no small consideration
and one that would be attended with
dangerous possibilities.
Nothing is said about the matter of
report, as these, according to the opin-
ion of the engineers, have been consid-
cred in detail by other previous re-
ports and have no material bearing on
the case, where the best and most
feasible plan is desired. The report.
substantially as submitted to the city
council last night is as follows:
In accordance with the authority
granted in the foregoing order and the
fvfe
Worcester we now offer the following
report embodying the results Of our eX-
aminations, together with our conclu-
siOns:
In studying the relative merits of
the several plans before us, reported by
former commissions we are obliged to
recognize the fact that the solution Of
the problem should satisfy the inter
ests of three parties: the citizens, the
manufacturers and the railroads.
First: The interest Of the citizens
should be considered with reference to
the protection Of life, the convenience
Of pedestrians, ready means of con-
veyance and local intercourse between
the portions of the city on opposite sides
of the railroads, the greatest practical
relief from unnecessary noise and
smoke, and the aesthetic appearance
Of the structure.
To satisfy these interests, it is evil
dent that the abolition Of all grade
crossings is sufficient guarantee for
the protection Of life. If the ap-
proaches have light grades there viii
be no great Inconvenience either for pc
destrians or for vehicles passing under
or over the tracks. BY proper provf-
sion in the construction Of bridges the
disturbing element of noise caused by
passing trains may, to a great extent if
not wholly. be avoided
In a large and growing city with the
general tendency to improve the archi-
tectural effect Of its buildings and 9th
er structures, the citizens have a right
to demand that all structures carrying
the railroads across public streets
should be designed so that their archi-
tectural appearance is satisfactory and
in keeping with the general character
Of the city. Not only the railroad sta
ton but also the bridges should be so
designed as TO cause no offence to the
eye and not disfigure the public streets.
Second: The manufacturing inter-
ests demand ample facilities for receiv-
ing and shipping goods. Many manu-
facturers are now provided with side
tracks, ard any change should be ar
ranged if possible so as to preserve ex-|
isting facilities.
Third: The railroads, including the
interests Of the travelling public and the
facilities for handling freight demand
proper cOnveniences for these purposes
and also the greatest practicable econ
omy Of expenditure in any alterations
that are contemplated
We have made no new estimate Of
cost, because We have considered the