New-York tribune., 1903-07-26
THE TUNNEL BROOKLYN
START WORK IN AUGUST.
Difficulties O0ercome-Troffc IL
Lozcer BroQd5cay to Go On.

Engineers representing the Belmont-McDonald
interests said yesterday that work on the lower
Broadway section of the Brooklyn extension OF the
subway would be began some time in the nrst week
of August. Under the contract the work must be
done in sub-sections of go feet; one subsection
may not be begun until the first started is com
pleted- The actual work will be started, not as
originally planned at Fulton-st.. but the Trinity
Church block just south of Pine-st. The original
plan was changed because II was found impossible
to secure any place to store the steel beams near
Futon-st
The attention of the public said an engineer
yesterday will be attracted this work because
of the engineering difficulties involved in building
tunnel not far from the foundations of the
largest skyscrapers in NewTorR- The engineers
OF the Rapid Transit Commission are certain that
little or damage will be done TO the tall
buildings by the tunnel construction
''one OF the most important sections Of the con-
tract for the construction of tho extension of the
rapid transit system from the City Hall, Manhat-
tan. under the East River TO Brooklyn. is that
which requires that the surface of lower Broad
way shall be maintained in a condition for ord-
nary travel from a TO 6 p. n. every day
This means that there VIII be little no disturb
ance OF the street railroad tracks in lower Broad
way which would interfere with traffic. The con-
tractors viii also be required TO keep the parts OF
the street each side Of the railroad tracks in
such condition that the heaviest trucks can
pass along the street on each side as if no con-
Etruction work being done under the street
ONLY OBJECTION REMOVED
IF the lower Broadway work can be done in
way not seriously TO interrupt traffic OF bust
ness the only objection made to the proposed tun-
mel in Broadway from Forty-second-st TO Union
Square viii be removed"
The Degnon-McLean company. the eub-contrac-
tor for the lower Broadway section has been
delayed by the difficulty in securing steel from the
mills or the work would have been started last
week A A Brewster. the assistant engineer IN
charge OF the work for the sub-contractors' says
the lower Broadway section presents the haroest
problems of any the route below Twenty-tnlro-
st It is possible. Mr. Brewster added. that on
the part Of the nearest the Battery the floor
level of the tunnel will be below the high water
mark and a caisson foundation may have TO De
constructed for the tracks
Nearly all Of the work the lower Broadway
section will be done at night The contract with
the city requires that two gangs Of men, each
working eight hou6 must be used The start OF
shaft one Of the sidewalks will have TO be
blocked In order 70 strip the street sie
may be closed. the street will be open Tor vehicIes
being done
WILL STRIP SURFACE PAVING.
LAS soon as the order is given" added the en-
g1neer. "a gang of men will begin to strip the sur
face paving Of the designated block All the paving
and earth removed Will be carted away and stored
until wanted reflling and restoration purposes.
As the paving is removed holes will be dug for the
reception Of uprlghts 10 hold temporary oeaIns'
ported By these uprights, longitudinal beams will
hold cross planking 10 form a street sur
face and the work Of excavation will go on be
meath a shaft from the sidewalk will give an
outlet for excavated material The longitudinal
beams-S-inch ] beams. il is calculated. with a
single support TO each 80 feet of ength-Nlil near
all the weight that can be put upon them by the
regular traffic. AS the excavation proceeds and
the radius strain changes, is made for
other supports. Each support rests on solid earth
foundation until a second floor or surface is con,
structed below il. and until the subway level
is reached. A like process will sustain the rail-
road tracks without in any way disturbing the
solidty of their foundations. Instead of the foun-
daton walls of the skyscrapers in lower Broadway
being detriment the engineers calculate that
they viii help in the work Of construction. by
forming side of the shafts which they vii!
have 20 sink for the removal Of debris: A sheetng
of timbeTs the roadway side of the sidewalks
and those walls the building line will serve as
the sides Of the tunnel shaft" '--
Commission expressed confidence that every diff
Guilty would be overcome the lower Broadway
route and that. with the experience gained by the
contractors. the work would be accomplished in a
way 10 surprise the public.