New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-11
BROOKLYN BRANCH BEGUN
SUBWAY MEN BREAK GROUND-CON-
TRACT NOT LET
THREE SECTIONS OF UNDERGROUND RAPID
TRANSIT SYSTEM EXPECTED TO PRE-
SENT BIG DIFFICULTIES


Although sub-contracts for the extension Of
the rapid transit subway 10 Brooklyn had not
been let yesterday by the Belmont Mel Donald
syndicate, work going on in a small way
opposite No II Safest. At that point sewer
is 20 be moved out Of the way OF the tunnel and
a gang OF men in the employ Of the Degnon-
Mclean Company had begun excavation. 1t
was said that ground broken there without
any foEmaIity on Saturday. when the sixty-day
limit for beginning the subway extension work
under the contract between the city and the
Subway Construction Company was about TO
expire
Mr.. Belmont said yesterday that the COM
pany was not compelled by the terms OF fits con-
tract to make any sub-contracts for the work,
as the company had given bond 10 the city.
Bids for the sub-contracts were being considered
by Mr.. Belmont and Mr.. Mcdonald yesterday.
Late in the afternoon Mr.. Belmont said they
were not ready 10 announce the acceptance Of
any OF the bids.
Three OF the sections of the subway extension
are expected TO present difficulties which may
make the construction work tedious. They are
the subway in lower Broadway. the tunnel
under the river and the subway in Fulton-st..
Brooklyn. AS the tunnel be bored only
from each end on down grades TO the middle
Of the river, the Workmen necessarily must take
longer than in the construction Of the subways
in Broadway and Fulton-st., where several sub
sections can be opened the cut and cover
plan at the same time Serious delays In
Broadway snd in Futon-st are expected. how
ever. on account of the immense traffic in both
fhoroughfares. that must be interfered with as
little as possible. 1t is probable that the greater
part OF the labor in both thOroughfares will
have TO be done at night
In preparation for the work. the engineers
have made elaborate plans which show every
obstruction 10 be encountered, every sewer TO
he depressed, every water pipe gas main TO
be moved, and all vaults under the streets which
must he closed. The advance explorations for
the plans have shown that no rock blasting will
he needed either in Broadway or in F'ulton-st
The absence OF rock viii make the work on the
cut and cover plan much easier than the work
has been at several places IN the upper parts
Of Manhattan, and much less dangerous If it
were not for the great traffic the subways I'm
lower Broadway Manhattan and Futon-st,
Brooklyn could be completed in a years time,
the engineers say.
The work Of constructing the subway in Full
ton-st-. the great artery Of travel in Brooklyn.
is to be made more difficult by the need OF
keeping elevator trains and trolley cars run
ming The columns for the elevated railroad
structure rise at the edges Of the sidewalks in
the thoroughfare, fortunately. it would be
necessary 10 support the entire structure while
the subway is being built Most OF the way I'm
Fulton-st there viii be space for only two
tracks in the subway, allowing the excavations
TO proceed without undermining the elevated
railroad columns. At some Of the stations how
ever. new supports for the elevated structure
viii have 10 be provided.
The time tc be taken in the subway work
there cannot be estimated closely in advance
the engineers say, but they declare that the con-
tractors will be obliged TO go ahead with as
much dispatch possible. and at the same time
keep the side streets clear of building materials
and permit traffic in the main thoroughfare 20
go without interruption. particularly in the
busy hours OF the day. In the progress Of the
work the contractors will be allowed TO open
only one side OF the street at one time. The
tracks OF the trolley lines will have 20 be kept
supported and unobstructed. as the tracks in
Fourth-ave, Manhattan have been kept during
the work there.
II is not TO be expected that the work at any
point IN Fulton-st. will take so long as the
work in Park Row has taken. The excavations
in Park Row were begun more than eighteen
months ago. For months, far any one
could see from the surface. little work was being
done. while the yawning pits extending both
sides Of the street We're open and protected only
by unsightly fences. Apparently the work here
IS TO take about two years, and many people
have declared that that is fully year too long
for the obstruction OF such an important city
1horoughfare. The engineers say. however. that
the work has been attended with unusual diff
Culties.
Comparatively few people know that this
fion has been constructed for five tracks, and
that il Is 20 have interior supporting COL
umns. -Four OF the tracks 10 be interacing.
so that trains arriving from uptown at the big
underground station opposite the entrance to
The Brooklyn Bridge tSan be sent on down
Broadway on the way pp Brooklyn. when the ex-
tension is ready; can he sent around the loop
under City Hall Park, or can be switched back
10 either express or local tracks. 1t is because
OF the crossover tracks in the interlacing sys-
TEN that the subway in Park Row between the
big station and Broadway have no interior
columns The roof of the subway, therefore.
has been supported by immense steel beams
which stretch all the way across the space to
be occupied by FIVE tracks. The fifth track near
est 10 The Tribune Building, is one that makes
the loop in City Hall Park, goes under the other
four tracks near the POstofilce 10 prevent
grade crossing. and rises gradually to the level
Of the other tracks near the big station.
z. p. Bryan, general manager of the Inter
borough Company that is 10 operate the railway
system in the subway, said yesterday that he
had been misquoted TO the orders FOR cars
NO contracts for the manufacture OF the
cars have been let yet" he said and in fact,
the specifications for the contracts have not
come from the printer and have not been sent
70 the car builders who are expected 20 make
been a mistake, too about the reasons for not
having the cars constructed entirely of freprOof
materials. No question Of expense was consid-
cred. We had some experiments made 10 ascer-
tain the value OF electrical freproof woods but
we were advised by some engineers OF prorni-
nence that the use of woods was not TO be de-
sired, ana we learned that IL would be impossi-
bic 10 procure enough of such woods FOR the
building OF the six hundred cars within the nee
essary time. The cars win be made so nearly
lfeproof, however. that il is not 10 be expected
that any OF them VIII take fire The bottoms
OF the cars will have metal COVERINGS ana tba
eiectrlesl wires VIII be encased in asbestos"