New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-28
TUNNEL UNDER EAST RIVER.
RAPID TRANSIT COMMISSION DECIDES
on BROOKLYN EXTENSION.

The rapid transit tunnel is to be extended to
Brooklyn. Resolutions to this effect were adopt
ed unanimously yesterday by the Rapid Transit
Commissioners. Consequently the subway is not
to end at City Hall Park. according to the
original plans but at the intersection Of Allan
tic and Flatbush aves., near the Long Island
Railroad station, in Brooklyn.
During the months when plans for such an
extension Of the subway were under the con-
siGeration Of the Board two routes were pro-
posed. One was from South Ferry to Hamilton
ave. and the other was from South Ferry TO
Joralernon-s making a loop around the Brook
lyn Borough Hall. The latter route is the one
defined in the resolutions adopted yesterday.
THE ROUTE DECIDED ON.
Accordingly, the tunnel. after leaving the loop
at the City Hall Park. is TO extend along Broad
way to Bowling Green, where there is TO be
loop, and thence along Whitehall-st. TO South
st. At South-st. the tunnel IS To cross under
the East River to JoraIemon-st.. between the
East River and FurTnan-st.. Brooklyn; thence.
along Joralemou-st. to the Borough Hall. where
there is to be another loop; thence, along Fulton
st. to Flatbush-ave. and along FlatbusA-ave to
Auantic-ave.. where the terminus or the road
aIn be temporarily established.
1t will be seen that these plans call for two
loops, one at Bowling Green. Manhattan, and
first will run under Bowling Green, State-st. and
WhltehalI-st.. returning 10 the main line at
Broadway and Exchange Place. This loop is for
the use of passengers who do not wish TO make
the trip over TO Brooklyn. The Borough Hall
loop is for the use of those passengers who. com
ing from the outer parts of Brooklyn. do not
wish to cross over TO Manhattan.
This loop will be on different grade crossings.
doing away with all danger Of collisions. The
tn
Brooklyn and VIII gradually change until there
is room for one train to pass under another at
the intersection at Borough Hall. The grade
viii then lessen gradually until the tracks are
on the same grade at Smith and jay sts-
In the plan of construction two parallel tracks
are called for. In Manhattan and Brooklyn they
will b. side by side in one large tunnel Cross
ing under the East River. it is proposed TO have
them in different tunnels, each only large enough
for one track. This system of single tunnels is
said to be much cheaper. and can be more
quickly finished. There Will also he no posi-
biity of trains leaving the tracks and coming
into collision with trains moving in the opposite
direction. All grade crossings viii be avoided
The track will be of standard gauge, viz, four
feet eight inches 1t Will he four and one-half
miles. including the loops.
MAY BE EXTENDED FURTHER.
Chief Engineer William Barclay Parsons in
speaking OF the tunnel said:
For the present We are going TO have tempo
rary terminus the Long Island Railroad station
at Flatbush and Atlantic aves. Brooklyn When
the tunnel is extended which it surely Will ultI-
mately be it can go north, south or east Just as
il is decided
It is possible that the Long Island Railroad. or.
vantage of the tunnel, and build an extension out
Atlantic-ave doing away with all surface trains,
and running them through the tunnel. That IS
only conjecture.
Controller Coler said he thought it would
cost about $G.OO0OOO TO build the tunnel
The matter. now that it has passed the Board
of Rapid Transit Commissioners, will have TO be
taken up by the city authorities. The Mayor
and the Municipal Assembly will now take Off
Cial action on it. and when they have passed il
and the Mayor has signed the resolution the
bids for the work will be advertised for.
The matter will probably not come up at the
next meeting of the Municipal Assembly, as Mr..
Boardman. counsel for the Commission, said
that he would not be able TO get the matter in
proper form by that time. 1t Will probably come
up at the meeting week from next Tuesday for
action of some kind.