Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-26
FIRST-STREET TUNNEL
CHANGES IN PLANS UNDER CON
SHERATON.
Proposition Made to Build Tunnel by
"Cut and Cover" Method
Reasons Assigned.


pany is permitted to adopt reported
change in the plan of constructing the 1st
street tunnel under Capitol Hill in con-
Eection with the union terminal work.
1t was learned upon reliable information
today that the officials and engineers Of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company are con-
sidering a change in the methods Of con-
structing the tunnel. which change would
necessitate the immense cut along the
eastern boundary of the Capitol grounds.
Ii this reported change Is adopted the COM
pany will abandon the tunnelipg or boring
method in the tunnel and will build the
entire tunnel by the open-cut or "cut and
cover method.
The proposed change is considered one or
the most important incidents in connection
with the union station work thus far. 1t Is
stated that the change will necessitate d
large additional expenditure on the part OF
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; that
1t will result In the destruction OF row OF
trees along the eastern edge of the Capltoi
grounds, besides the parking and coping on
the eastern edge; 1t will require that the
tracks Of the Metropolitan ana Capitai
Traction companies, along LIST street north
east be carried on trestles above the sur
face of the ground for the distance of sew
eral hundred feet and other changes OF
greater or less Importance will result
The Reasons Assigned.
The reason for the reported proposed
change in the method of building the tun-
mel, it is stated, is that the engineers are
encountering great deal of difficulty IN
the underground work on account OF water
and dampness in the tunnel. 1t IS also sald
that the earth crumbles down with olsas-
trous consequences by the use of the boring
process and that it is difficult to properly
,-fI OH M
of the tunnel. By the adoption of the open
cut method it is considered the work may
be done much more rapidly. and In order 10
gain time in the completion OF the WORK
the railroad company is willing TO sacrlhce
many thousands Of dollars.
When the District Commissioners were
questioned today with reference TO TINS re-
ported change they stated that the Penn
sylvania company has not as yet presented
any proposition for a change from the tun-
neling to the open-cut method In the con-
struction of the tunnel NO plans nave
been sbmitted Col Biddle stated, ana ne
has no official knowledge OF such a cna It
The officials, however, did not deny that
they had heard reports of the proposed
change but none of the District ot1clals or
engineers would discuss the matter, since IT
has not yet been presented to their OF
fetal notice.
According to the information obtained by
The Star today. the length Of the proposed
open-cut will be about 1900 feet. 1t Will
extend from ABOUT midway pet"eeh D anu
c streets on list street southeast to
C street northeast. From the por-
tai of the tunnel at New Jersey
avenue and D street southeast 10
point about midway between ana
streets southeast, the tunnel has already
been constructed by the open-cut methoo'
but the depth of the trench has not been
very great between these points. The en-
tire length of the tunnel is about 500 feet.
Depth of Cuts.
Under the proposed change In plan OF
construction it is stated, the cut to be
made at C street on 1st street southeast.
will be Sc feet deep; on East Capitol ana
1st streets the cut will be 81 feet deep; at
street north a cut "a feet in depth will be
made. and at street north a cut AZ feet
in depth will be made.
From street north to East Capitol
street on 1st street are laid the tracks OF
the Metropolitan branch of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company. II the
Jpen-cut method of digging the tunnel Is
| adopted these tracks will have to be car
ried over the trench on trestle distance
of about 800 feet. The tracks of the Cap
ital Traction Company along list street
between B and c streets north will have To
be carried on a trestle about 500 feet.
If the proposed change Is adopted the
east boundary of the cut for the tunnel Will
be at about the middle Of lst street. and
five feet from the building line Oh the west
side of 1st street. 1t is stated that the cut
will extend into the eastern edge OF the
Capitol grounds, which will result In the
destruction of q number of trees and the
coping in several places along the eastern
boundary of the Capitol grounds.
What is Feared
The fear has been expressed that so large
a cut so close to the Congressional Library
<Jof; ~ hot hYr1d n
ing A number of engineers who are con-
sidered competent to judge in the matter
state that there will be no danger of weak
ening the foundation of the Libary building
If the cut is made along the west front OF
the structure
1t is thought that the officials Of the rail-
road company will soon decide as to the
ACCESSIBILITY of asking for permission to
make the change in plans reported. In the
event the change is considered desirable by
the railroad officials and engineers, it will
be presented to the District Commissioners
Should 1t be deemed undesirable the mat
ter will probably be dropped and may never
be brought to the official notice of the
Commissioners.
Because of the numerous considerations
involved the reported change is considered
as one of the greatest questions yet pro-
pounded In connection with the station
aroused great interest among officials and
citizens Of the District
1t is pointed out that in the event the
tunnel through Capitol Hill should be con-
structed by the open-cut method the streets
in the line of the work would be torn up
and other damage would result. 1t is prob
able that in case the change in plan is
adopted, either the railroad company or
the contractor will be required to furnish
a bond In the sum of about 100000 to Sc
cure the restoration of the streets, parking
etc, to the same condition as they were
before the operations were commenced.
Regarded as Important Feature.
The proper construction of the tunnel
| under Capitol Hill is considered as one of
| the most important features of the rail-
road terminal work. ana both the officials
and engineers of the railroad company and
the District authorities are anxious that
| the tunnel when completed be thoroughly
| safe, convenient and otherwise satisfactory
| The early completion of the tunnel Is also
greatly desired. because of the fact that It
will be so largely used when the union
station is finished. 1t is estimated that
many months time Will be saved IL the
work con be carried on by the "cut and
| cover plan.
A conference is in progress late this at.
| ternoon at Col. BiddIe's Office. which, 1t Is
believed, may have some bearing on the
| proposed change in the construction Of the
| Capitol Hill tunnel. Those participating In
!, H4r Cy1y~.v af<xgf