The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-09
The Important Key to the Entire Plan
Is the Conversion of POgue's
Run Into n Sewer.
RAILROAD OFFICIALS TO MEET
MIR. BOOKWALTER CONFERS WITH
MARION COUNTY DELEGATION.
He Wants Board of Works to Have
Power to Enter Into Agreement
Based on Commission Plan.

At to-morrow's session of the grade
crossing commission City Engineer Nelson
will submit the plans that he has been pre-
pairing for several weeks. There has been
no intimation from the engineer as to his
general idea. Those who may be deemed
in position to acquire knowledge of his
purposes say his plan will call for the elm
ination of every grade crossing in the Gen.
trail district of the city except one-Noble
street. The important key to his entire
plan is the conversion of Pogue's run into
broad low sewer. This sewer is to begin
at Newman street and extend to Wisconsin
street. Its capacity for carrying storm wa
ter will be great.
The principal achievement of the elm
ination of Pogue's run will be the possible
depression of streets 1t is asserted that
the engineers plan calls for depression of
the streets seven feet and the elevation of
the tracks from four to eight feet As an
engineering feat this is looked on as the
coup of the whole question. With an ele-
walton of not more than eight feet any
switch track that may be needed to serve
private interests may descend from the
main track to grade within 200 to 300 feet
This solves in an ample degree the switch
ing phase of track elevation. The height
also makes the elevation comparatively in
expensive. as the retaining walls would not
be over nine feet high. The highest ele-
walton will only be needed for crossings
used by interurban service. Fifteen feet
in the clear is necessary for them At other
crossings eleven to twelve feet is deemed
ample.
ia IN Of
fords near-to-street grade solution of the
freighthouse district question. 1t offers
unusual opportunities for the scheme of
expansion of the Union Station, which has
been contemplated by the railroads and
which has already been discussed
Mr.. Nelson's plan is offered to the COM
mission In an advisory way. 1t Is said
II ban w nS as hn eeyaton vat plan rather
vation. 1t calls for the reopening of Ala
bama street.
RAILROADS MAY ACT TOGETHER.
Intimations were received last night that
the railroads are to take concerted action
In reference to the position they will as
sumo before the commission A railroad
man said last night that meeting of
representatives of the roads was likely to
be held this week. perhaps here 20 discuss
what should be done. 1t was also inti-
mated that the railroads will not stand on
the lack of. legal authority on the part of
the city, but may accept the conclusions of
the commission as an entirety, law or no
law. Such acceptance would, of course.
imply reasonable and permanent scheme
of grade crossing abatement The rail-
roads. through their engineering depart-
ments, are well advised of the local situa-
ton and have been moved toward an ac-
ceptance of large scheme of Improvement
more by the attitude of the city through
the appointment of a grade-crossing com
mission than anything else. The railroads
always contended that they should be con-
suited and their rights considered i'm any
settlement OF the question. The appoint
ment OF the commission gave opportunity
for disinterested consideration of ali
phases OF the question and this has inter-
ested the railroads more than arbitrary
measures to force specific treatment that
they deemed inexpedient, expensive and
unnecessary.