Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-07
FIRST SET OF PLANS.
For Railroad Route to New
Union Depot.
ONE UNIQUE FEATURE
PROPOSED TUNNEL TO REPRE-
SENTATIvES OFFICES.
Everything Points to an Early Com
mencement Of Labor on the
New Project.


ton of grade crossings and the construction
of the union depot in this city. The loca-
ton of the station in Massachusetts, ave-
nue. northeast made it necessary that a
tunnel should be built under Capitol Hill,
in order to take the trains from the south
into the depot and to provide for the pas
sage of through trains to and from the
north and south.
AS 1t Is expected the first work in con-
nection with the project will be the con-
struction of this tunnel, the filing of the
plans is Of unusual interest. in that 1t pre-
sages the early commencement of actual
labor. The plans show that the Pennsyl-
vania and Baltimore and OHIO railroads
have lost no time in prenminaries.
The railroad companies have bought all
of the private land the tunnel will traverse
in the southwest section. Much of this
property would necessarily have been
heavily damaged during the construction
Of the underground tracks and the ap-
roads have cut any possible Gordian knot
in advance by purchasing and taking title
to the land outright.
An Unique Feature.
One Of the unique features of the rlans
as submitted to the Commissioners today
is a proposed branch tunnel into the base
ment of the new Office building for men,
bers of the House of Representatives at
New Jersey avenue and B street southeast.
1t is proposed by the railroad companies
that representatives may come into the
city and be transported by train directly
to their offices.
new one and has called forth letter of in
quiry from Colonel John Biddle, the Engi-
neer Commissioner, to Mr.. w. H. Brown,
chief engineer of the Pennsylvania COM
20 kIo n,,fI 0~if lol. hn
proposed tunnel to the new office building
Is located.
Chief Engineer Brown, In forwarding the
plans to the Commissioners. said he would
be glad to come over from Philadelphia for
a conference If one should be desired by
the authorities prior to affixing their ap-
prevail. 1t is probable the letter of inquiry
from Colonel Riddle may bring Mr.. Brown
to the city tomorrow. or he may be content
to explain the point through correspond
ence. -.-~
Another interesting feature in connection
with the plans Is the fact that the tun-
twenty feet below the level Of the main
track platform. To bring trains these
lower tracks up to the level of those on
the viaduct will require grade from the
union station to X street north.
AS these tracks for the through trains
must go over H street, according to the
law and the plans. 1t Is said 1t will be nee
essary to cut down that thoroughfare some
that the depression of II street would only
be few feet at the eastern end of the
viaduct on account of the natural raise in
grade of the thoroughfare toward the east.
Route of Tracks. W
The tracks entering the tunnel from the
south will leave the main southwestern
viaduct at I'd street and Virginia avenue
Curving to the northeast, they will be con-
structed along an embankment on property
purchased by the railroads to LIST street
southwest, which will be crossed on a
trestle. In the next block there will be an
other embankment on property owned by
the companies and Canal street will also
be crossed on trestle. Then will begin
a rapid descent to reach the mouth of the
tunnel, which is to be located just south
of D street and west Of New Jersey ave-
nue. Continuing to curve, the tunnel will
run into LIST street east and continue under
that street to the depot site.
From the point Of it's beginning, at D
street and New Jersey avenue. to the de-
pot, the tunnel will be aiLut 4,SOO feet In
length. or, approximately, three-quarters
of mile
The style of construction as shown by
the plans is a twin tunnel or two single
track tunnels, running parallel to each
other.
+ The Commissioners and the officials of
the engineer department have taken much
interest In the plans for the tunnel as pre-
pared by the railroad engineers. and they
are said to meet with satisfaction In al
most every particular.
If there be found authority for the loca-
ton of the branch single-track tunnel into
the office building Of the House of Repre-
sentatives that feature will probably meet
with approval also.