New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-01

much longer to build the Manhattan Bridge.
because the city will not be able 20 spare the
money for its construction if the work is has
tened. The New East River Bridge was esti-
mater 20 COST ST.o00,0On. exclusive of land
~ ,he appToacnes The structures cost
viii exceed So 100000 and the land acquired
for the approaches probably viii cost the
city about $S.WO.OOO. making the entire cost
Of the bridge S1GOO0OO0 II the city builds the
Manhattan Bridge therefore the work may be
expected TO last seven years. and the cost may
be expected to exceed SlIOOoo0O.
Three or four double track railway tunnels
between Brooklyn and Manhattan. for rapid
transit electric trains or trolley cars could be
constructed for the cost OF one bridge. one
such tunnel on the line Of the bridge could be
constructed within three years al a cost which
might not exceed So 100000 and could not reach
S5.o00.OoO. Engineers say that a tunnel on that
line; connecting the electric lines Of the Metro
polltan Street Railway Company with the troll
ley lines of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany, could be constructed FOR 81 100000 and
that II the city should decide 10 construct such
a tunnel by lending its credit. is being done
in the construction of'the rapid transit subway,
one of the big railway companies would take
the contract for the tunnel. The city therefore
would be able to construct the tunnel and own
It, some day. without really spending a cent for
fl, and would have a large annual rental from
IL after 1t was paid for. In time II could have
half dozen such good paying tunnels.
II. instead OF building tunnels the city spends
$150Uo0O0 for another bridge, the railway COM
panies will get the of the bridge for a ridicu-
lously low annual rental they have in the
case OF the Brooklyn Bridge. many people de
clare. and the city never Will get a fair return
for the millions sunk in the bridge As cN-
Controller Coler pointed out when he first op-
posed the bridge plan, the city will spend about
IS OOO 600 for approaches to the bridge and
lessen by much the assessed valuation of
real estate subject to taxation. This withdrawal
of IS 600 600 from taxation hurts the city I'm two
ways. 1t removes many millions from annual
taxation and thus tends to Increase the tax
rate 1t takes away SO many millions from the
total assessed valuation which the CltyS
ability 10 borrow money depends and thus
brings the city closer 10 its debt limit The cost
Of land taken for bridge approaches I'm this city
Is about equal To the cost # the bridge itself.
city does not have to acquire land FOR ap-
prOaches to tunnels because the tunnels can be
bored to their openings under city streets.
The engineers point out another great ad-
vantage in tunnel construction over bridge con-
struction. The selection of bridge site de
pends largely the formation OF the shore
lines. A bridge must he placed. therefore where
the conformation of the two shores of the river
permits not where il is natural artery Of
travel Tunnels. on the other hand may be
constructed to suit traffic conditions, matter
what may be the conformation of the shores \
bridge may tend to Congest traffic. Tunnels
should make ii freer.
After a bridge is constructed il Is subject to
constant attack 10y the elements, and must be
repainted and repaired continually at large
annual cost The cost of maintenance in COM
pleted tunnel is comparatively insignificant.