The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-30
GRADE CROSSING PLANS
MAY CONVERT POGUE's RUN INTO
A MAMMOTH SEWER.
Engineers Plans Believed to Suggest
This as Step for Street Depression
-COmmfssion'sS Session.

City Engineer Nelson was not ready yes
terday to submit his plans and suggestions
for the Embarrassing commission, which
met in the private office of the Board of
Public Works yesterday afternoon. Mr..
Nelson Is having profles made of all the
grade crossings where elevation and de-
preston will be necessary 10 provide for
undergrade crossings. This work has been
in progress for two weeks, and the entire
force Of the engineers office is engaged
on it. The levels will be taken to-day
in reference to the effect of depression on
Pogue's run, and there is belief that the
engineers plans will call for the eImina-
ton of Pogues run as an open stream
and its transformation into a mammoth
sewer. This may be only a tentative Incl
dental plan of the engineers. but, If depres-
sion on any large scale is to be resorted
to east of the Union Station it is felt
that Pogue's run is "a factor that can only
be dealt with by removal. IL any large
plans in reference to depressing Meridian
or Delaware streets or Virginia avenue,
and considerable depth should be evolved
from the commissions work, the closing
of Pogue's run would be absolutely neces-
sary.
City Engineer Nelson told the commission
yesterday that on streets where interurban
lines passed the head room under the ele-
waited tracks must be fourteen feet six
Inches. and on other streets twelve feet.
II this height was followed at the three
streets named above a depression OF from
six TO eight and One-half feet would be
necessary, and such a depth would require
the abolition of Pogue's run as an open
stream.
he IF he info hos
long been urged because of the overflows
OF the streets In periods Of great rain. The
cost of this work has heretofore prevented
It's Undertaking, though several admins
trations have made plans for such a con-
version. The stream serves no purpose
now, except the carrying of surface water.
but offers distinct advantages for sewer
construction and utility.
RAILROADS TO COOPERATE.
The commission yesterday read letters
from the presidents of the roads who were
asked IL they would aid the commission in
its work. The answers were:
President McCrea, Union Railway Com
pany: "Will be glad TO cordially cooperate
with your commission in considering the
problem which is before ii and extend aid
or information asked for" He referred
them to A: A. Zion and NJ. w. Mansfield.
superintendent and engineer. respectively,
OF the Union Company, as he is to be away
for month. AS to the Pennsylvania Com
pany, Mr.. McCrea sent the same response,
but referred future communications 10 j.
J. Turner, third vice president of the road.
He Enclosed copy of the last Ohio law on
President ingalls,. Big Four: Shall be
glad to aid commission in any way posi-
ble"
President McDoel, Monon: 1--WE will give
the commission any assistance possible,
with pleasure.
Receiver V. I. Malott, Vandalia: You
will not only have my cordial co-operation
I'm uO I'm r will he Mo
our operating officers, and officers of the
engineering department, appear before you
at any time you need their services"
The Lake Erie and c., III. & ID. officials
have not yet responded to their communica-
tions.
The commission discussed the letters and
Ielt tnat the replies had indicated ell that
could be expected at this stage of the nro-
ceedings. IL was agreed that all interests
were now ready to cooperate with the
commission and that its work must ad-
vance before additional information as to
the attitude or the roads should be sought
The Ohio law on track elevation was read
by Chairman Bennett. 1t provides that
municipal authorities may decide when eIe-
walton is necessary and so notify the rail
roads. IL the railroads do not answer the
DUTY thus imposed the Circuit Court shall
determine the questions of necessity and
reasOnableness in connection with tho u,orL
planned and its cost. If the court deter
mines that the elevation ordered is neces-
sary ana reasonable then il shall be done,
tne entire expense being divided between
the municipality and the railroads affected
Where TWO roads are affected for the same
work the court determines how much each
snail pay. All viaducts under this law must
De twenty-one feet above the grade of the
tracks. This law was supported by both
the railroads and the city officials OF Gin
cinnau and Cleveland and the elevation now
In progress in Cleveland is under this law
The commission did not discuss the Ohio
law
MIR. NELSON'S INVESTIGATION.
City Engineer Nelson told the commits
sion briefly of his visit TO Chicago this
week. He described the joint elevation
work OF the c. & A, the Illinois Central
and the Santa Fe and the independent work
Of the c., r. I. & p. The last work he
said, was not the kind that Indianapolis
would be satisfied with because the Rock
Island trains in going over IL made a ire
mendous noise. Another thing which he
regarded as a disadvantage in Chicago was
the imperfect drainage OF the tracks
II was there at a time TO appreciate fully
the disadvantages OF many Of these cross
ings. said Mr.. Nelson. for the snow was
melting rapidly. A person could hardly pass
under these crossings without being
drenched. To prevent repetition OF this in
the crossings now being constructed creo-