The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-02
NEARER TO NEW
UNION STATION
Great Northern Interests Have
About Decided to Proceed
~ with It. -.-
NEW STRUCTURE WOULD
FACE ON BRIDGE SQUARE
The Plans Provide for Access to
Trains Without Crossing
Tracks.

Minneapolis seems in fair way to
have magnificent new union passen-
ger station.
The need of a new station has been
greatly felt for years, and now the
project has advanced to point where
been prepared The most favored plan
is one providing for a practically new
structure to face on Bridge Square, and
to occupy the entire frontage of the
real estate owned by the Union Station
company. This includes nearly a hun
dred front feet of ground now occupied
by the broad platform at the side Of
the old structure. The cost of the new
building would be close to 100000.
The only obstacle in the way Of an
early realization Of the plan is the
promise of four roads that do not own
adequate stations of their own to use
the new station. These roads are the
Great Western, the Rock Island, the
500 and the Minneapolis & st. Louis
These roads have heretofore refused to
enter the old union station largely be-
cause Of its overcrowded condition.
No Crossing Of Tracks.
The plans for the new station are
modern in every detail. The waiting
Toorls and ticket offices are located on
the ground floor as at present, but the
present danger to passengers in crossing
numerous tracks and sometimes dodg-
ing around several trains before reach
ing their own, will be doGe away with
by simple but efficacious plan. The
tracks will run directly under the main
waiting room. To each road will be as
signed a number Of adjacent tracks.
There will be sets of stairs leading from
the main floor to the tracks of each diff
ferent road Thus travellers who want
the Omaha train, for instance, will sim
Ply have to go, down the stairs bearing
selves on platform leading to the
train. They will thus be able to take
the proper train without crossing a sin.
gle track. This system will also do
away with the present great crowds
that sometimes surge about one or two
ticket gates, and will permit passengers
to go to their trains without delay.
A Bureau Of Information.
The Union Station company also in
tends to establish a bureau of informa-
ton in the main waiting room. Two
clerks will be employed. They will be
men not only we'll informed as to routes,
time cards, sleepers, etc.; but acquainted
with the city and qualified to direct
will be established without delay and
will be in operation by -.L.s44fe- Is.
The construction Of the new union
station is a matter entirely in the hands
Of James ]. Hill, president Of the Great
Northern. The stock in the present
station company is the personal proper
ty Of Mrs. J. J. Hill. Louis Hill, he,
SOD, is superintendent. The plans fo1
the new station are in the hands of thu
chief engineer Of the Great Northern
anG firm of St. Paul architects.
Thus, tho the Great Northern roaG
pays a rental to the Union Station com
pany, the structure is Just as absolutely
within the control of Great Norther1
interests as tho owned by the company
Freight Terminal Plans.
The new union station is not the onl,
development of Great Northern interest
in view for Minneapolis. A plan is OF
foot to make Minneapolis the road ,
freight terminus. The Great Norther,
has already acquired large tract O
land in Bryn Mawr for freight termina
facilities and will purchase more
Freight trains will be broken up in tn
new Minneapolis yard, and freight TO
other lines will be hauled to the Min
nesota Transfer by switch engines. Thi
plan will do away with the expense 0
hauling all trains up a. stiff grade, nea
st. Paul, and will permit of the dis
charge of the freight crew immediatel
on arrival in Minneapolis, thus savin
time and money for the road.