Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-24

time for amending all this. They
think We should have a new, up to date
station, situated where there will be
plenty of room both for present needs
and future requirements. They think
we should have no more perilous grade
crossings nor obstructive overhead
bridges. They think this can be done
by taking the Maine Central tracks en-
tirely out of the crowded Water street
section-and they think the people will
think as they do when the subject is
fairly put before them,
Several methods of effecting these
purposes have been suggested. The
first is to cross the river to the "old
Fort place the station buildings
there, go under Cony street and con-
tinue on to join the existing line at the
east end of the present bridge. There
is plenty of land available in the loca-
ton mentioned, and the scheme is well
worthy of investigation. 1t is objected,
however, that an act of the Legislature
would be necessary to permit the
bridging of navigable tidal waters.
This would prevent any action for al
most two years. Nevertheless, the
Another plan is to abandon the whole
line between Hallowell and Augusta
from Second street in the former place.
Then a straight course might be made
along the level land between the cities;
and. turning up Kennedy Brook val
ley, the railroad could swing around
Augusta and cross the Kennebec a
mile or two higher up than it now does
The station could be placed near the
electric car barn, or somewhere in that
vicinity. A variation of this route is
proposed by which the road would re-
enter Augusta by Bond Brook and use
the bridge as at present. Either of
these projects would abolish all the now
existing grade crossing. the overhead
bridge across upper Water Street, re-
lease Commercial street and a long
strip of valuable building sites to bust
ness purposes and afford all the land
that could ever be needed for we'll ar
ranged, commodiouS stations, freight
sheds and yards, all directly served by
the electrics and within easy hauling
distance of the trade centre. True,
there would still be grade crossings
but they would be on roads out in the
country where travel is much less and
trains can be seen coming a long dis
lance off. Then, too. there will come a
time, and that soon, when Augusta and !
Hallowell will surely be consolidated; ,
and when that time comes the new sta
ton will be in the very centre of the
greater city. We must look to the fu-
tura; for we have future, and a
bright one.
The perfect arrangement would be to
carry the Maine Central to Waterville
wholly on the west side of the river.
That was the way it was originally
meant to run; but local influences took
it across the Kennebec and foisted
upon it three expensive bridges where
only one was required. 1 suppose,
though, that the company's legal OBJ
legations toward the towns of Vassal-
boro and Winslow would prevent such
a change-so the next best thing is to
do as has been indicated.
The Maine Central would obtain
many advantages by following any of
these routes. 1t would avoid the con-
slant chance of expensive accidents
which now impends; it would be able
to have a creditable and convenient
station; it would save the expense of
maintenance of two overhead bridges;
and last, but not least it might be re-
garded as the friend rather than the
foe of Augusta-and let US tell you.
Messrs. Managers, Augusta has come
to be a place which you would do we'll
to have on your SIDE!
Further, it is almost certain that it
would cost no more to build the new
line than any system of tunnels or
elevated tracks would. Any of these