Evening star., 1902-04-19

4
| south to the wharves and viii probably be-
come an important thoroughfare, while 9th
street is short street. not passing through
the mall. The arrangement proposed by ex-
isting legislation takes 7th street under the
railroad and while the cut will be greater
than the fill suggested by the citizens OF
South Washington, the dip would be about
the same as the rise on bridge, as there
| is slight elevation at present at 7th street
! and Virginia avenue. The damage to prop
erty In tAat vicinity is estimated, in the
| report on existing legislation. as not great:
The citizens who claim to be affected
most disadvantageousiy by the proposed
legislation are those living in and around
Eckington- This suburb has the railroad
to the east and south and q hill to the
west, over which the streets are not yet
improved, and even when improved viii
nave heavy grades. Communication with
tne city Is only to be had along r street
between I'd and lexington place. This
short piece of street has double car tracks
with curves at lexington place and I'd
street. making it rather difficult passing.
Existing legislation provides for the final
opening of Sd street. but the present bill
closes this street. The widening of Eek
ington place Will help the matter some
what, but the exit will still be inconven-
lent, and s and streets should be opened
and improved as soon as possible. The
lexington Citizens Association has ex-
pressed itself as interested in the project,
and while 1t states that the proposed legis-
lation will damage property in lexington,
II only asks for the following concessions:
First That the roundhouse and shops be
located east of 7th street. This is provided
for In the plan submitted by the railroad
companies.
Second. That the freight station be kept
south of Q street. and failing that. south of
Quincy street. The former restriction does
not seem practicable. as the station covers
most OF Q street east Of lexington place.
The railroad plans do not indicate at pres
ent any extension north of Quincy street,
but 1t is explained that the railroad may
wish to extend over the whole space to the
south side of R street within short time.
The south side Of r street between Sd and
"a streets is almost entirely built up with
substantial houses; the north side OF r Is
as yet unfmproved. The north side Of
Quincy street, on the part opened. is built
up with brick dwellings; the south side Is
unimproved.
Owing to the shut-in condition of Ecking-
ton It would be desirable, unless the rail-
road company has absolute need of this
land for freight facilities in the near fu-
ture, to require Quincy street to be kept
open and continued to lexington place.
Third. That there should be stone wall,
seven or eight feet high, built between
lexington and the freight yards and tracks
question of expense. This fence would cost
$12 per foot. or a total cost Of $4,000 II
the railroad extends its freight yard to the
south side Of r street such a fence should
undoubtedly be built for the protection of
dwellers on the north side Of r street.
Cost.
The cost will approximate as follows:
The bill provides that the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad shall receive 8, SOC, ,Ooo
This Is approximately the assumed value
OF the property on the mall occupied by the
railroad under existing legislation, and Is
intended to repay the company for its re-
linquishment AS the mall Is to become
United States property this cost is, accord
ing to the bill, to be borne by the United
States.
Existing legislation requires the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad to be paid the sum
OF $l.5OO,OOO. AS the final figures of the cost
Of the changes required by this bill have
not yet been received it is not possible ito
make exact comparisons. 1t Is probable
that the cost will be less than by existing
legislation, due to the Baltimore and Poto-
mac Sharing many of the expenses and to
less length and height Of viaduct Besides,
the Baltimore and Ohio will have a southern
connection, which is very valuable. On the
other hand. the cost of operation as to ter
m1nal facilities, and more especially the
change Of location of the freight depot will
be continuous source of expense to the
railroad.
The railroad companies are required to
construct the street crossings of existing
streets within the right of way the streets
thereafter including viaducts carrying the
streets. to be cared for as other streets and
bridges in the District.
In cases Of streets not vet opened the hill
directs that the railroad companies shall
pay half the cost This is the usual method
in such cases.
ment in making the changes is as follows:
The estimated cost in South Washington,
according to existing legislation, was
about $4,000, on account of work around
the mall which will not be necessary, $4,000
Of which is due to damages on account of
change of grade.
North Of the Capitol the cost is estimated
as follows:
23s.943 cubic yards grading (cut
to be used in fiiD at 40 cents -. Se3, SIT 20
547,28 cubic yards grading (bar-
row to be used in filD, at Is cents 50, ,092 Is
25.5S0 linear feet curb reset, at 80
cents .......................... 7.s74o0
$40 t....................... $4,000
u. .SO3 square yards asphalt (new
and relaid), at s2................... 155,eOs 90
4, ,599 square yards granite block
relaid. at Is cents ................. s.44s25
1851 square yards macadam re-
laid. at 20 cents. ts.................... 1.57o.2O
at 25 cents s...................... 1902 so
49,158 square yards sidewalk to
be laid, at s1........................ 49.15s.OO
4os,279.a 30
pipes ........................... 100000
42s, ,279 80
Add Is per cent for contingencies. "a, PAL 80
Total cost Of grading and
paving -..................-.-$49 $492,o2ll IL
Say $500,000.
The railroad companies agree to supply
earth for filling free of cost on cars at sta
ton, thus allowing this great fill to be esti-
mated at Is cents per cubic yard.
The asphalt pavements that are to be re-
laid are generally quite old. and the ones
that will replace them will be betterment
to this extent. While difficult to estimate
the value of this betterment, it can safely
be placed at not less than $4,000
or the above total of $500, 600 the follow
ing are directly attributable to change of
grade Of streets due to elimination of grade
crossings from H street, inclusive, north
ward: