New-York tribune., 1902-07-02

Raptd Transit Commission at the meeting OF
the commission yesterday afternoon presented
tunnel plan for the relief OF the coHSeS'' III
on the Brooklyn Bridge and connexions ol the
BROOKLYN. Manhattan and Williamsburg brld9eS
NV 1pa,, of C,entre-st In addition. the plan calls
for a tunnel from the Brooklyn Bridge through
Nassau-st. to Maiden Lane, and a tunnel from
Maiden Lane to Brooklyn, for the exclusive use
NJ trolley cars if they are to remain on the
bridge. II they are to be removed, Mr.. Parsons
recommends the moving platform. The i'm
movement exclusive of the work that would
he necessary to grade the bridge properly, Mr.
Parsons estimates would cost 81, 10000. The
plan prepared by C. c. Martin. then chief en-
eineer Of the bridge, would have cost 50 400,3OO
but Sfr Parsons believes that a considerably
larger sum would be granted for abutting
damages than that estimated in the Martin
plan. Mr. Parsons says that his own plan would
enhance real estate values and increase the tax
alton. The plan calls for the removal of the
Manhattan terminal of the bridge, and Mr. Par
sons says that this would leave a piece of land
upon which could be built large municipal
office building. If the land had to be purchased
he SAYS it would cost as much as the building
itself
Alexander E. Orr presided at the meeting which
specially called TO hear the report, and the
other members present were Mayor Low. Con-
1roller Grout, John H. Starin and Charles Stew
art Smith. and in addition Edward NJ. Shepard
and Albert B. Boardman counsel to the COM
mission. After the report was read, Mayor Low
presented a resolution recommending that the
report be accepted as solution of the bridge
problem. that Mr.. Parsons be directed to
cooperate with Bridge Commissioner Linden
thai for the perfection Of the plan and that the
subject be made a special order Of business at
the regular meeting of the commission to-mor-
row. The Mayor said that he saw many ad-
vantages in Mr.. Parsons's plan. and declared
that if it was carried out a wonderful i'm
.provement in the way of interhorough commu-
nication would be accomplished. The Mayor
added that the removal of the Manhattan ter
minal of the bridge of no slight impor-
tance. His resolution was adopted.
THE PLAN OUTLINED.
The report after describing the plan prepared
by the committee Of expert engineers appointed
under the A1cCarren act. the Martin plan and
the Lindenthal plan, outlines the subway plan
as follows:
bridge on a gradient whose maximum rate is 81
per cent TO a point near Vandewater-st. where
@ n ny Rg cbans ne n tbe eonrV i
arch structu forming the approach TO the bridge,
and by depressing the bridge tracks a contin-
bic 10 bring the tracks under Park Row at level
that will permit L subway to be begun at that
Is per cent. 1t win be seen that this gradient is
creasng the total resistance of gradient and fric-
ton by not exceeding IS per cent.
this is grad ent that offers no serious obstacle
the 10 ON IN f6 the Boston to FeHsted wTe he
tracks rise from subway to elevated. 1t Is possi-
ble when the plans are studied in detail, that it
may be found that some other gradient than this
viii. all things considered. be more economical;
that the gradient that can be obtained is one
of the motive power equipment on the Brookyn
Elevated system, is less than that overcome on the
the one existing.
CURVE UNDER PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Once under Park Row the line be made to
curve to the north under private property bttVeen
tracks under Centre-st.. tc such point as may he
may be carried under Grand or Delaney or other
the Williamsburg Bridge. In the case
ments m rI TO bring the cars from brdse to subway
are easier and simpler than at the Brooklyn Rridge
located not upon the bridge itself but under the
of the Rapid Transit subway now beiAg cen
from several points and the portion Of the travel
would be taken care Of before the bridge is reached
and elsewhere. according to Mr. Martins plan or
upon such other plan as may be approved by the
Bridge Commissioner
The depressing Of these bridge tracks would In
volye the closing Of North WiIliam-st ans This hoy
short street only block long, running
from Park Row to an archway beneath the bridge,
and the travel over it can be diverted, or if de-
expense with William-st. by a roadway running
parallel TO the bridge on the northern side II
Iowering the same by some few feet 70 an extent
dependent upon the rate Of gradient adopted on !
bridge and Duane-st-. is now occupied by Two |
warehouses and a number Of old houses that were |
The warehouses could be adapted at |
moderate expense TO a change of grade.
COST OF MARTINS PLAN.
In Mr. Martins report an estimate is given by |
raiTUaY Il5iT S between the Brooklyn and Williamsburg
bridges, the total figures being as follows:
For construction including $4,000
Property. damages l4ooSVO
Total 90 l623 300 |
In the above estimate it will be seen what a large |
proportion of the cost is absorbed by abutting |
damages The structural estimate made by Mr.. /
Martin IS, for the usual style OF structure cor |
aHagd M bv iurv Personality believe tRat a con-
sideEaby larger amount than this would be !
the proposed four-track section is at least S. O9lO0
and the actual value of the property along the |
two-track section is at least $l250OCo0, amounting
together TO Sl75000OO exclusive of any allowance |
for the city's own Droperty 1t will be noticed |
that Mr.. Martins estimate is only about per cent
When It is remembered how close the cars would |
run run 10 the abutting buildings. am forced TO the
conclusion &C that the damages would be considerably |
IN excess or the above estimate. Taking the same |
route ana the same stations between the same |
Pc 1e re9ulrea % Tor underground Construction. Using
the Rapid Transit subway for similar work. and |
hasHLg d generous allowance for contingencies |
struction az s2Oo This eare is someWbat foi In
1 excess OF PIN mr martins estimate but 1 do not be-
Of the proposed elevated strnctnre and damaee
1-oer,,T ,lG "4Slo amount TO. The abutting
property Woulc IN the OF the subway be
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