The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-07-03
TUNNEL INCREASE
Engineer Ferris Gives the
Board Of Works an Opin-
ion Adverse to En-
largement.
OF NO PRESENT UTILITY
No Great Monetary Gain In
Changing the Contract
Size Now.

Mr.. Garwood Ferris, engineer in charge
of the new water supply was recently
requested by the Board of Street and
Water Commissioners to give an opinion
ON the enlargement of the tunnels
through the mountains. AT this after
nocns meeting the opinion adverse to the
proposition was received and is as fol-
lows
Board of Street and Water Commits
Gentlemen am in receipt of a Eesolu-
ton passed by your Honorable Board
wherein my opinion is requested as to the
Two tunnels through Hook and Watch
ung Mountains from the present contract
capacity OF ~ millions per day to a size
capable OF delivering 100 millions per day,
the compensation 1or such enlargement
pelnS an amount, by agreement, between
the city and contractors to be added lr
the option price OF the works. The argu-s
ment presented in favor of such enlarge
ment being that when Jersey City needs
supply IN excess of seventy millions per
oay 1t will be impossible to enlarge the
elstlng seventy million tunnels, that new
tunnels would have to be built and that
II would be the cheaper to make the en-
largement now as compared with the cost
OIL new tunnels when required
. ne present contract is for a fifty mil
non supply, but looking out for the fu-
ture, it was deemed expedient to pro.
vide that If any of the construction was
In tunnels that they should be OF a cap
aclty to furnish seventy millions per day
water rights and storage grounds to
pc furnished were also stipulated to be
commensurate for a seventy million sup
ply.
My opinion is therefore asked as to tho
a;dvisability Of still further increasing the
size Oh such tunnels to a capacity of 100
million gallons per day without obtaining
any adMtlonal water rights or conmen-
surate additional storage grounds.
n11nI 10y -c
no possible present use nor could 1t in
any way be beneficial until the rest of the
work was enlarged to a like capacity in
rights and storage reservoirs
From an engineering point of view.
therefore, could not recommend the en-
same time the city was assured of the
power to utilize the additional capacity.
According to my table of estimated future
consumption, based upon four per cent.
yearly increase, seventy million daily
use would not be reached until 1921
From an economic point of view, there
lore lore the question would be: Is it exped-
1921. -
There is no doubt but that the present
enlargement could be effected by ar
rangement with the contractor at less
price than the price would be in 1921 of
new tunnels, but when it is borne in mind
tnat at three and half per cent. interest,
compounded, present sum would be
doubled in twenty years, it is exceedingly
probable that the present cost at 31h per
cent interest, compounded, present sum
would be doubled in twenty years, it is
exceedingly probable that the present cost
at 31s per cent. interest would very nearly
provide for the cost of new tunnels when
same would be required.
can see no benefit to Jersey City in
assuming present and continuous
charge in order to effect a very problem
My opinion both from an engineering
and an economic point of view is that it
would not be desirable under present con-
the enlargement of the two tunnels.
"(signed) "GARWooD FERRIS.
Engineer in Charge"
In connection with the new supply Mr..
Ferris also made this recommendation to.
the Board:-
Honorable Board of Street and water
Commissioners.
Gentlemen-When the specifications
governing the construction of the new
water works were prepared the custom
was to join the gates to the pines, by
means Of fanged joints, and the epecifica-
.tions definitely provide that such functions
shall be made. AS subsequent experience
has demonstrated that the preferable way
is 70 use for that purpose Hut and Spigot
mend that l be authorized by your Board
to accept the tender of the contractor in
which he voluntarily offers to substitute
approved loaded Joints for much specified
Hanged joints.
The specifications also provide that
ON the upstream side of each main stop
valve bloweoff shall be placed and inter-
locked with the stop-valve' AS blow-offs
are otherwise provided for in the profile
furnished by the contractor. I would also
recommend that your Board authorize me
to accept the contractors tender to fur,
nish in lieu thereof bypass, properly
gated, for each of such main stop-yalves.
Respectfully submitted.
"GARWOOD FERRIS.
Engineer in Charge"
The Board passed a resolution giving
Mr.. Ferris the desired authority.