The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-25

A conference was held in the Office
of Recorder w. l.. Connell, between the
latter, Director of Public Works John
Il. Roche, Chief of the Bureau onf En-
gineering Joseph A. Phillips, and rep
| resentatives of the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western railroad and
Scranton Railway companies, yester-
day noon, regarding the long proposed
viaduct over the West Lackawanna
avenue railroad crossing, which is at
last to become a thing of reality.
Mr.. Phillips has been at work on
plans for the viaduct since councils took
action on the matter, and after hear
ing the proposals of the Lackawanna
and Scranton Railway companies. in
structed him to draw up plans. These
must be first approved by the two
companies, before any further action
can be taken.
At yesterdays meeting. the Lacka-
wanna was represented by Chief Engi-
neer w. X. McF'arlan, Major Everett
Warren, attorney for the company, and
two assistants of Mr.. McFarlan. The
Scranton Railway company was rep
resented by Major Warren. Mr.. Phil
lips had not yet completed the details
Of the plans, but the general outlines,
as submitted yesterday, proved salts
factory to all parties present.
ARRANGING DETAILS.
The details will be arranged and fully
completed within the next three or four
weeks, when another meeting will take
place. If the complete plans, as then
presented, are satisfactory to both the
Scranton Railway and Lackawanna
companies, councils will Immediately
advertise for bids on the contract.
Some difficulty is anticipated in start
ing work, however, as good deal OF
trouble will be encountered in obtain
ing sufficiently large amount of good
steel.
Mr.. Phillips stoutly asserts that eve
want good Steel and as soon as we get
it, We'll put the job through as quickly
as possible" The plans, as the result
of yesterdays conference, will provide
for forty foot roadway, with two ten
foot walks. Stairways will lead down
from it, similar to those seen in the
elevated railways Of the big cities.
In the east approach to the viaduct
from Seventh street, the roadway will
be paved with Belgian blocks over a
concrete base, and the iron portion of
the viaduct and the west approach will
be paved with asphalt blocks. 1t was
also decided to protect the iron under
portion of the structure, which Is ex-
the locomotives passing underneath, by
a cement plasterng and additional
metal work.
h,,t.a to will 1,n
double track 1t was also decided to
notify the Gas and Water company to
take some action about the removing
or protection of its water mains, the
present position of which will interfere
with digging operations.
ABOUT MATES STREET.
The Strengthening out Of the Mates
street curve was another matter dis
cussed at the meeting. There is a bad
curve in this street. between Lacka-
wanna avenue and the Cedar avenue
bridge, and both the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western company and the
Wyoming Rapid Transit company are
anxious to have the street straight
ened. The companies are willing to pay
for the pave, and from yesterdays in
dications the chances are very favor
able that the matter will be properly
adjusted, and brought before council at
an early date.
Mr.. Phillips, Furthermore, discussed
the Carbon street difficulty with the
Lackawanna people yesterday. The
company has piers on that street sup
porting a railroad bridge and bridge
leading to the Pine Brook colliery, and
these interfere materially with the
paving OF the street. A new bridge will
be probably erected, which will allow
clear space on the thoroughfare. A
slight change will, very likely, have to
be made in the grade of the street.