New-York tribune., 1901-03-10

work on ten others IA nearing completion. Plans
and specifications have been approved in number
OF cases which means that the work will proceed
as soon practicable. In several instances public
crossings have been changed to private crossings.
In some cases where II IS necessary under the law
that tho local authorities acquire the necessary
land the authorities have failed to do The most
important OF these cases Is that OF the proposed
overhead crossing OF the Delaware and Hudson
Railroad Ontarlo-st in the city OF Cohoes This
crossing Is used by a street surface railroad and
It there that occurred the shocking accident
on Labor Day. 1895, when a loaded trolley
struck by n steam train.
The total appropriation thus far made for the
States freportion. less 600 for administration IA
s275.00o- Up TO December 81 the State had paid out
S23.sS9 II had. however. made decisions on appli-
cations for construction and for the completion OF
work the estimated cost OF which is s150.a This
estimate in some cases includes land be acquired
There number Of cases on Long Island where
the board has made determinations in which the
total expense will be the requirement OF land for
and the laying out OF new highways. The amounts
for these are not included In the estimate given.
Petitions from the city OF Buffalo for the chang
ing OF seven grade crossings OF the belt line OF the
New-York Central and Hudson River Railroad from
grade 10 overhead crossings were received out as
the amount available 10 pay the States proportion
was not sufficient the petitions were dismissed
When this work undertaken it was dis
covered that in many instances grade crossings
couIo ne aboilshed by simply altering highways and
at slight cost 10 the town. This done at Soils
willie, Madison County, where by building about
TWO miles or highway along the towpath OF the
old Chenango Canal three crossings OF the New
York. ontario and Western were abolished An
other case where four crossings were abolished
In Golden. Erie County a highway crossed the
Sek toqr meS IN comparatively % short DISTANCE
- % '4y GU 'Ie "etSe OF tfle MIL 10
built TO the OF the hill
In many places high banks exclude the view OF
approaching trains. and unless a hagman is sta
toned at such points the utmost precauton must
taraugus County the intersection Of two hfEhwavs
crossed by the main line Of the Erie Railroad
and nnt under the tricks Ar anotbar NO noipt poiI IN
Randolph We're two highways. both crossing the
Erie at grade They met short distance north of
Ile tFack lnttrse.tihS each othtr at rlght angles
under the track and travel from the other
AT Brookview. the Boston and Albany road.
by the construction of a bridge over the Boston
and Albany tracks and the building OF the neces-
sary connecting highway, three crossings at grade
were abolished Al St Johnsvile a viaduct was
carried over the nine tracks of the New-Hork Cen
trail This Was dangerouS tossing as trains i
view from the north was much obstructed making
ii almost impossible 70 see approaching trains.
dertaken thus far is at Binghamton, where Che
nango-st.. the main artery between the north and
Of the Erie Railroad and two tracks Of the Della
ware. Lackawanua and Western; The hearings
~ croeeing daiiy The crossing was frequently
blocked for from fifteen to twenty minutes at a
time. causing great annoyance. The cost Of the
yiadnct exclusive of land damages, is $4,000, the
greatest cost Of any of the changes thus far made
under the law providing for the abOlishng OF grade
crossings.
In all cases where there is desire 20 abolish
railroad crossings petition must be made to the
Railroad Commission either by the municipal au-
thority by the railroad company, after which the
board gives hearing at which all interested par
ties may appear be represented. Upon the evil
dence submitted at the hearing the board renders
IFS decision which must be complied with. In case
the decision orders the crossing 10 be abolished
nlans are prepared by either the railroad company
or the engineer of the board. Such plans must he
apnroyed hv the commission. The work may he
done bN- railroad company or by contract.
Wien dome nv contract bids must be submitted to
the railroad commission for its approval Upon
comm nIetion OF the work which has been regularly
insnected nv an inspector from the Railroad Com
mission office a final inspection is made by the
hoard's engineer. and the work Is approved ar diS-
approved. as he may recommend