New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06

Boston. March 5 tSpecaD.-Another link in the
great rapid transit system planned for Boston and
as thirty surrounding cities ana towns is lust about
completed in the new East Boston tunnel which
connects the present subway and elevated systems
Of the city proper with the island district OF East
Boston or. il was known Ia Colonial days Nod
de Island. by a double track tube beneath the
upper harbOr. This tunnel is 1860 feet long feet
an width and p feet from floor TO roof. some Zoo
feet OF il are under water and II cost 100000
In marked contrast to records OF casualties
deaths and failures attendant upon the constrac-
zion OF tunnels. subways and great sub-aqueous
WAYS in Europe. the East Boston tunnel has proved
the most successful undertaking Of its kind in the
history Of engineering. Only four lives were lost
IN the entire four years has beea under construc
zion and, aside from the explosion which caused
these. the accidents have been few and trihing in
comparison with those which have marked other
great engineering enterprises.
The finishing touches and cleaning up work
now going on. and within a few weeks the tracks
~ the Boston elevated road will be laid through
the great tube and passengers VIII be whisked
through 10 the other side by three minute trip.
Out OF the total spent for the work sl.5OOOeO was
expended IN boring and finishing the section under
the ha.bor which is 200 feet long. This is at
COS, OF few cents over $685. a linear foot.
cars will enter the tunnel by an incline in the
centre Of a great square. known Maverick
souare pass under the old South Ferry slip a
short distance from the Cunard docks and emerge
from beneath the water AZ Long Wharf There is
q slight bend IN the centre 81 the tunnel under the
bsrbor imperceptible. however. TO trolley passen-
rp~s The tunnel continues 20 Atlantic-ave.. where
,be FIRST station IS This is 10 be called Atlantic
Chambers and is near the Safest. elevated sta
finn Passengers viii reach the tunnel cars by
sreat elevators which. when the tunnel is opened
y.iu convey a continual stream Of passengers to
she station platform. Then the tunnel continues up
under stste-St through the financial district TO
she ola station the next Tho lower part OF
she old State House has been converted into
paifinq room. with glazed tile facings, marble
aoors and steps and oak finishing. Another slight
bend and the go on beneath Court-st 10 Scoi-
Law Square. where they connect with the subway
by dead end track. passengers reaching subway
cars and elevated traius by a staircase from the
sub-station.
Eventually the tunnel system will be extended by
means OF a tunnel beneath Westinghouse. or its
Immediate vicinity FOR the use OF elevated trains
which will be removed from the present subway 20
the second tunnel. plans for which are now being
completed. These Westinghouse. trains will con-
nee; with the East Boston tunnel. but trains VIII
pass through il. the elevated company reserving
Il for ordinary trolley cars third tunnel will be
constructed after the completion Of the Washing
tonst route for trolley to relieve the present
congestion on Washington-st's surface. These two
viii be leased TO the Boston Elevated. the same
as the other routes the rate being fixed at per-
centage on the gross receipts OF the elevated lines
Boston's rapid transit system viii not stop here,
however as the elevated is planning 10 extend
its overhead structure TO Forest Hills. and the
Transit Commission is planning for a subway in
the West End under a part OF Beacon Hi. be-
meath Cambridge-st., through which the road will
I'm trains overhead structure extending out
10 Harvard Square Cambridge. All these improve
uents are rendered imperative by the rapidly in
q ssng trolley traffic. which is placing heavy
burden the present facilities and taxing the sub
rry to far beyond its capacity. Every year
rev lines running from suburban cities direct into
Boston. vnere previously they transferred Dassen-