The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-03
PLANS FOR EAST
SIDE vIADUCT.
Prepared by Mr.. Makepeace
for Council Committee.
ESTIMATED COST ss1S,722.so.
Provision Made for Two Electric Car Tracks,
Two Roadxays for Vehicles and Two
Sidewalks for Pedestrians.

The Joint special committee on railroad
legislation OF the city council, or which
committee President Kendrtck or the
common council Is chairman, held con-
ference yesterday afternoon In the coun-
ell committee room at the city hall ana
considered plans for an East Side VIA
duct, prepared by Charles r. Makepeace
OF the firm OF Charles r. Makepeace az
Co, architects and mill engineers. Cen
eral Manager Todd OF the Rhode Island
company was present and seemed i'm
pressed with the viaduct plans prepared
by Mr.. Makepeace, at the request OF the
committee. The plans. after the COM
mon council meeting on Monday evening
next will be placed in the rooms OF the
chamber of commerce for public inspec-
ton
ESTIMATED COST OF vIADuCT'
Here is Mr.. Makepeaces estimated cost
Assessors valuation of land and build,
ings taken. SIS, GO; estimated cost OF
foundations for viaduct, $4,000; estimateo
nIete $50 600: estimated cost OF street
from Benevolent street 10 George street,
5000: total $36S, ,S34 go. 49,,
should be Charged to the widening OF
Crow Word street $24lS land taken ano
re-sold. SIS, ,s32; building material disposeo
oti rotei SteY" estimated net cost of viaduct.
street. etc, complete, $SlS. 722 6O:
The foundation walls must ioiiow the
present lines OF the river and the es-
timate cost of structure above 1ounoa-
tions includes everything necessary 10
the completion Of the viaduct, sidewalks
and asphalt roadway also included.
THE ROUTE PROPOSED.
II was proposed TO start the viaduct
Pol
the river to Crawford street. sweeping
in n broad curve across South Main
street close to the north end OF the IN
fantry building, to Benefit street at the
foot of Benevolent street. The total
width of the viaduct, as shown on Mr..
Makepeaces plan. is so feet. OF which
20 feet in the centre Is allowed for car
tracks, with 90 feet on each side Tor
vehicles. and a 10-foot sidewalk on each
side
The greatest height OF the structure
above the ground would be about 30
feet at the point OF crossing South Main
street On the west side, at a point
opposite Custom House street, the plan
calls for stairway, by which pedestrians
would be afforded a short cut TO Wey-
bosset street, rather than going to the
end OF the viaduct at the bridge
For convenience, stairways could also
be arranged at South Main street. II de-
sired. At the upper end an approach
for pedestrians and carriages might
easily be arranged, leading from Benefit
street down by the north side OF the
structure at a sharper grade and then
turning underneath the viaduct down to
| South Main street, affording more di-
rect passage for those who desire 1t.
VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS.
After reaching Benefit street. vehicles
have an easy grade in either direction to
| any of the streets on the East Side from
| this point, and the same would be true as
| to pedestrians. The Viaduct ends at Bene-
| At street but the plan arranges for con-
| tinuation OF the new highway facilities by
| a street cut at a curve from Benevolent
| TO George and Prospect streets, thus af-
| fordng a direct communication for the
| street cars from the viaduct to the pres
| ent tracks on Prospect street. This would
| permit OF q much quicker passage be-
| tween Market square and the top of the
hill. as there would be no waiting for
grip cars.
At Washington bridge the conditions
are such that cars could be readily divert
ed TO the viaduct The plan as drawn,
| provides for cutting of about Is feet at
the southeast corner OF the Hope club s
| grounds on Benevolent street. In making
the curve OF the new connecting street 10
| Prospect street. Mr.. Makepeace says that
this would not be absolutely necessary.
| but would be advisable in order 10 main
tain n standard width for the highway.
The Congregation church property, at
the corner OF Benefit and Benevolent
| streets, would not be encroached upon at
all In carrying out the proposed improve
! ments.
The distance 70 be traversed by Mr.
Makepeace's plan is about 1900 feet. max
ing a grade OF about 5as feet 10 the hun