Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-13

public or private way, and the d street
facade could be designed as a grand
triumphal arch spanning Sth street. The
view Of it from the Capitol would be superb.
Tracks through the station site would be
sunk to about fifteen feet above sea level.
and laid on east and west lines. The main
floor of the station would be about twenty
feet above the track level No part Of the
site would have to be filled more than ten
feet to conform to the elevations named.
Easy stairways and liberal supply of ele-
vators would give easy access to or from
any track without crossing any other track
at grade. Twenty or more tracks LOO feet
long, with the necessary platform. could be
arranged for on this site. Washington
would never have crowd that would over
tax the capacity Of such a station. Rail
road men, engineers and other practical
men will be quick to see the advantages Of
q through station over one wits stubtracks,
or with tracks at different levels. On the
east the train sheds should extend from 9TH
to 9th streets, and on the west from 9th to
10th streets. Sixth, 7th, Sth, 9th. 10th and
18th streets should be slightly elevated and
carried over the tracks.
1t would prove to be most convenient for
the railroads and the shipping public to
have the freight yard and station between
e and streets. just south Of the union
station.
The Washington branch Of the B. and o.
could leave Its present line just south Of
Hyattsvile, and with almost straight
track lead to the Pennsylvania tracks at
the Pennsylvania avenue bridge. Then
from the eastern end Of K street q new tun-
mel should be built westward to eth street
on K street with four tracks. To DO this
1t will be necessary to widen K street about
twenty feet on the south side. The tunnel
would be built IN open excavation and COW
cred with steel beams incased in Gem ent.
A complete system of ventilation for the
tunnel, the train sheds and the ways under
the station and streets, operated by cleo
tricity, would free all such spaces from
smoke steam and gas.
The Anacostia fats north of the Penn
sylvania avenue bridge could be gotten
cheaply and used a freight and switch
ing yard. so that with the facilities now In
use at Benning and in South Washington
the terminal arrangements east of the union
station would be ali that could be desired.
1t Will only be few years before the c.
and o. canal will be abandoned and its bed
and banks used for railroad purposes. IL
30 the B. and o. can arrange to take that
route from Harpers Ferry to Rock creek.
and thence along Virginia avenue mil con-
nection is made at the foot of 14th street
with the tracks leading west from the union
station to the new Long bridge. At the
connecting point q Y should be provid-
ed. so that the way to or from the
south can be used either to or from the east
or the west. At the south end of the Long
bridge there Is abundant room to provide
Whatever terminal facilities are desired near
the western approach to the union station.
If this site be chosen the expensive tun-
mel under Capitol Hill will be avoided and
the Capitol and Library saved from posi-
BILE injury. Garfield Park will remain as
free from railroad tracks as 1t Is now. The
park at the intersection of Virginia and
Maryland avenues will be restored to the
people, and have beautiful plaza and sta
ton fronting 1t. The freight station and
yards south Of the union station will make
it unnecessary to retain a single existing
track in the northeast or in lexington. Re
joicing and satisfaction will follow this
luton of the railroad problem. The B. and
o. will secure a shorter line to the west,
with easier grades and curves, and all
other roads will be as well or better pro-
vided for than by any other plan proposed.
Slight changes in the st rect railroad tracks
will make this South Washington station
more accessible than the one on Massachu-
sets avenue could be made. The die is not
yet cast; let it be cast in favor of South
Washington. CIVIL ENGINEER.