New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-24
BEGIN FULTON-ST. DITCH.
Most Difficult Part Of Ne7c .SU6sCdy
Started.

Work on the last section Of the rapid transit
funnel and subway from the Battery TO the Fiat
bush-ave station OF the Long Island Railroad, in
Brooklyn has begun. This work, which the mer-
chants in Fulton-st and Flatbush-ave. the princi-
pal retail section the borough. have been dread
sng for two years. began last week. At present
stretch OF only about two hundred feet In Fiat
bush-ave has been torn up. but soon the work
will extend all the way down the avenue. ano then
suto Fulton-st.
This section OF the subway is to extend from the
Borough Hall up FuIton-st. TO F9atbush-sve, and
I'D the latter street the Long Island Railroad
citation. Although the merchants along the route
formed an association about year ago 10 induce
the Rand Transit Commission 10 compel the con-
tractors 10 use the regular tunnel construction, In
order that the surface Of the street might not be
disturbed the efforts OF this organization were in
vain. II was held that II the tunnelling method
were used the stations would be inconveniently
deep
So the open cut method is 10 be used, but. 40
corGinC 10 the contractors, II Is 10 be much I'm
proved open cut" method The ditch, a greater
part OF st. will be covered in the day. and the
work viii go on under cover: but the most rapid
progress OF course, VIII be made at night when
the ditch viii 5e open
The start that has been made at Flatbush and
Lafayette aves, VIII give a fair idea Of how the
work viii be done throughout and OF the Difficult
ties that viii De encountered This point IS TO be
the working base Of that end Of the section. II
present plans are carried out. II was chosen be-
cause there the engineers could have elbow room.
q TO speak because OF the four side streets that
enter Fla;bush-ave. at this point.
Through FlathEsh-ave. The open ditch viii be
forty-fve feet wide. SO far. however. the cut IS
only twenty feet wide. and about two hundred feet
sn length IN Fulton-st.. which is narrow the cut
will not exceed thirty feet in width. One Of the
CHIEF difficulties that the contractors will have 20
contend with is she presence Of both trolley tracks
and an elevated railroad structure IN both Flat
bush-ave. and Fulton-st They declare, however
that the operation Of the troleys and trains will
not be interfered with. Under the trolley tracks
win BE- placed steel girders supported by transverse
beams and uprights OF tough yellow pine. more
difficult task viii be the supporting Of the elevated
structure for the foundations of the steel pillars
viii have be removed in most cases. The
structure above being braced up on each side OF
each pillar Wfth tremendous pine struts which will
De supported from the bottom OF the cut. Some Of
these struts viii be forty feet long. and the 81
pillars Themselves VIII be taken out bodily in
Arrangements have been made by the contractors
with TIE Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company to bring
all their machinery and tools to the scene ~
operations, and carry away The dirt and rocks
from nc eNcaNatlon. - ms va oe done by tho
work Of fifteen double trucks. a short sidetracx
bssbs,e Tor flese caTs be 59rf i bai, % sTIid
down to Coney Island 70 help hll up the marshes
fhere '-'s --''1 ''''''' 0O"'''''l'
tn Fulton-st. which IS all too narrow 10 accom-
gnodate the fraffic without any distractions Here
e. various kinds The street. IS only fe SI Sh fe
wide. Thirty feet IN the centre will be occupied
By the ditch The six feet side Will be
occupied by trolley track dirt
cars and the other six feet VIII probably be used
Tor supports for water and gas pipes Under the
terms OF the contract. no material can be stored
sn the street. John McNamee. Of the firm Of Gran
ford & McNamee. the contractors. said the other
day:
The centre OF the street viii always be avaiiah BILE
and very few wagons use Fulton-st, anyway. We
Flall be very careful 10 make the crossings safe
Tor pedestrians. don't want any more dam
age suits than necessary. II would be feasible
10 do an our work night and keep the street
planked BY day
James Matthews president OF the Merchants As
eoriation asked II they would make any more
s,rofeste against the open ditch. replied
at wifi not be necessary 10 have more than a
short section open at any time. and it may be
best TO have the work done the quickest way, and
be through as quickly possible"
BEFORE the work in FUltOn-st.. below De kalb-
ave is begun. the substitute FOR a 36-inch water
,,,afr that runs into Fulton-st at that point viii
have 20 be laid through LiyingstOn-st TO Clinton
o. When tits IS connected the old main. which
,-nre through Fulton-st. and down Joralemon-st.
30 Clinton-st. can be taken up as the subway work
progresses.