New-York tribune., 1906-12-20
MoTOR CARS ON THE AoUEDUCr.

The proposal 10 construct a great highway eX-
clUsively for the running Of automobiles along
the line of the new aQueduct which is now being
CONSTRUCTED from this city 10 the CatskiIIs is ell
gaging from more than one point Of view The
0esirabluty Of making more roads which can be
used for those vehicles is generally recognized,
as is also the desirGbllity Of making some exclu-
sively for such use. 4 speedway is TO be built
on Long Island, but Il will be chiefly for racing
purposes. A highway Tor automobile travel
northward from this city, to the Berkshires, the
Catskilis, the Adirondacks, the towns and cities
along the Hudson and other regions of popular
resort, would be immensely seryiceable. 1t
would relieve the already soreIy congested condi-
fion Of the Albany Post Road and it would
be not only useful as q means OF getting there"
but also highly attractive for its own sake lead
ing, as II would, through some OF the Ioveliest
scenery IN the world. Moreover, il would be
oommendable 70 make some practical use of the
strip OF land along the top Of the aqueduct.
Attractive as the scheme IS, however, there
are some possible obstacles 10 its realization
which need 10 be taken into account The tube
OF the aQueduct S. We understand, % run at
most points as close as possible 10 the surface
Of the earth, after the manner Of the old Gro
ton aQueduct II will be well for engineers TO
consider the possible effect upon such tube OF
concrete and other masonry Of running pom
great vibration which they cause II may be
that the few feet Of earth between the surface
OF the road and the top Of the masonry would
be an ample protection We should hope So
But the point is entitled to expert consideration
Thought must also be given 20 the question
whether such use Of the land would interfere
with expeditions and efficient repairing OF flaws
which might be developed IN the tube. Further
more, VIII not buildings for inspectors and care
takers, and ventilating shafts. such as stand
along the line OF the old Croton aqueduct, be
needed along this one. and II so, will they not
be IN the way Of rapid yehicular traffic?
The technical Legitimacy Of such use OF the
lgnd is also 10 be considered II will be re-
called that some years ago It was proposed TO
construct q bicycle path along the top OF the
old Croton aqueduct; but although the scheme
was regarded with great popular favor and en-
thuslasm and was obviously not only possible
but very easy OF realization, 50 far as all mate
rial conditions were concerned, there was an In
superable legal obstacle In the way Much OF
the land IN question had been granted TO the city
exclusively for aqueduct purposes. and Il was
held that the use OF II for another purpose would
violate the terms OF the grant and forfeit the
city's title % t. In the present case similar
obstacle may appear, though II may not be in
Buperable. The city has been authorized 20 &C.
Ouire the necessary land for aQueduct purposes
only. and II il Is 10 put II 10 other uses some
additional legislative AUTHORIZATION may he
needed II so, it would probably be best to
secure II at the outset, and 70 have the plans for