The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-03
SUBWAY PLAN
TO JOIN BRIDGES
Big Tunnel Scheme Is Endorsed
by Mayor Of New York.
RAPID TRANSIT Is ASSURED.
Car LInss 10 bs Depressed and Crush
Problem al Breskln Bridge viii
bs Solnd.
RAPID TRANSIT IS ASSURED.

New York. July a-'I think that this
plan happily solves the great problem OF
congestion" said Mayor Low yesterday.
as he read the report from william Bar
clay Parsons. chief engineer Of the Rap
Id Transit board. as TO the best method
OF handling all the traffic over the East
river bridges.
To those members Of the board who had
not been informed as to what would be
suggested. the plan Of the chief engineer
was startinsly novel. but they were well
pleased. Not a word OF protest was
heard. and IL is probable that II will be
eventually adopted as the permanent solu-
ton 10 the crush problem.
The startling feature OF Mr.. Parsons
report Is that IL Is altogether a tunnel
plan.
His proposal for the erection Of a large
city building over the site OF the present
approach to the Manhattan end OF the
Brooklyn bridge. and his design for an
other East river tunnel to be dug from
point near Maiden lane and Nassau
street 10 some point In Brooklyn. were
equally surprising.
The report IL tho result OF request
made by the mayor for the Rapid-Tran-
sit board to solve the bridge traffic ques-
ton. Numerous hearings were held and
reports formerly made by experts and en-
gineers were submitted to the commits
sion.
ADOPTS SEVERAL FEATURES.
About most of these Mr.. Parsons has
something to say. In a general way he in
cludes some OF the best ideas OF all OF
them. He discusses the plan submitted TO
former Bridge Commissioner Shea by
Experts Boiler. Prout and Whitnery. and
the amended report of G. c. Martin, for
merly chief engineer OF the department
OF bridges.
or all the plans Mr.. Parsons says that
he likes those Of Engineer Martin best
but he insists that the cost will be too
great. He shows then that his own sub
way scheme will be entirely feasible.
THE present bridge tracks" he says,
descend from the bridge on a gradient
whose maximum rate is at per cent, TO
a point near vsndewater street where
the tracks ascend into the elevated sta
ton above described. By beginning at the
anchorage, and by making the necessary
changes In the masonry arch structure
forming the approach TO the bridge. and
by depressing the bridge tracks on a con-
tinuous descending gradient TO Park Row.
It is possible to bring the tracks under
Park Row at a level that will permit a
subway TO be begun at that point
RUN UNDER CENTRE STREET.
"Once under Park Row the line can be
made TO curve TO the north under private
property between Park Row and Centre
street, and thence with four tracks un-
der Centre street to such point as may be
desired, when two or any other number
Of tracks may be carried under Grand or
Delaney or other street TO the Williams
burg bridge.
"In the case OF the Williamsburg bridge
the necessary arrangements 10 bring the
cars from bridge to subway are easier
and simpler than at the Brooklyn bridge.
The station near the Brooklyn bridge
should be located. not upon the bridge It
self, but under the private property be-
tween Park Row and Centre street, and
on substantially the same level as the sta
tion OF the rapid-transit subway now be-
ing constructed. Approach to this station
can be had from several points. and the
portion OF the travel that now seeks the
bridge trains at the bridge would be
taken care OF before the bridge Is reach
ed.
Additional stations could be located on
Centre street and elsewhere, according
10 Mr.. Martins plan or upon such other
plan as may be approved by the bridge
commissioner ssIts
The depressing OF the tracks. Mr.. Par
sons shows. would involve the closing OF
North William street, but he believes
there would be no great Inconvenience on
this account.
Mr. Martins estimate of cost for his
proposed elevated structure up Centre
street, Engineer Parsons asserts was
too low. Mr.. Martin had put the cost at
s.. .l62, soo but Mr.. Parsons declares:
PUTS DAMAGES MUCH HIGHER
IT am forced to conclude that the
damages would be much In excess OF the
above estimate"
The cost of the subway plan Is estima-
ted at 81, ,705. 900. and IL is pointed out that
the abutting property would be benefited
instead OF deprecated.
As 20 the suggestion OF Commissioner
Lindenthal for movable platforms, the re-
port asserts that there Is great merit IN
the suggestion. But" says Mr.. Par
sons. II deem II beyond tho scope OF my
investigation"
This suggestion In made as to the pro-
posed new tunnel under East river:
IF the trolley cars are 20 remain they
can be depressed, be brought under Park
Row and carried I'm a subway south under
Nassau street 90, say, Maiden lane, and
thence I'm a tunnel under Maiden lane and
the East river TO Brooklyn. rising TO the
surface at some desired point In the
neighborhood OF Borough Hall. The board
OF engineers Ia their report recommend
the construction OF an elevated llpe south
from the bridge and across tho city In or
der 20 supply facilities for passengers 60
ing TO and coming from points below the
bridge. This suggestion was most valua-
ble as such a line would intercept n large
volume OF traffic before II reaches the
bridge. Mr.. Martin, however, disapprov-
ed OF II on account OF difficulties OF con-
struction. BY means OF a subway for the
trolley cars II IL possible OF accomplish
ment, and have therefore included It,"
PART OF GENERAL PLAN.
Some time ago Mr.. Parsons was asked
20 prepare plans for a general system OF
rapid transit I'm all parts of the city. lie
says that the new tunnel under the East
river will be part OF this general plan.
Mr.. Parsons believes there is great mer-
IL in the plan Of Commissioner Lindenthal
90 have the Second avenue line OF tbs
Manhattan elevated extended 20 the City