The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-09

The tunnel connection for lines Of the
New York. New Haven and Hartford
railroad from Central Passenger Station
IN Providence TO East Providence accord
ing to the plans as decided upon. show at
the westerly end about the same as ex-
hibited in the hearing az the State House
early in 1904. The new line is according
TO the provisions OF the enabling act
keeping a little more than the prescribed
distance north OF Thomas street. and the
point OF entrance into the hfli should be
unobjectionabls IL Is believed
The necessary bridging over the streets
between the passenger station and BENEFIT
street will be OF unobjectionable charac-
ter and give ample head room. At Benefit
street there will 'be sufficient thickness
over the tunnel TO give proper supporting
strength 10 carry the highest travel.
From this point easterly, as the hill In
ereases In height. the depth below the
surface OF the tunnel rapidly increases
until at Prospect street the rails will be
more than 100 feet below the surface of
the earth
At Brown street the rails will be about
100 feet below the street In the valley at
Brook street the rails will still be over
so feet below the surface At Cooke street
again the rails will be so feet, At Gros-
venor street over % feet and at Ives
street, about 45 feet below the surface.
The top OF the tunnel will be something
like p or % feet nearer the street sur
face. At Gano street. as previously mem
tioi ed for BENEFIT street there will be
sufficient space left between the inside
tor o. the tunnel and the street TO give.
proper supporting power for carrying the
street travel The easterly portal will bo
a ohort distance east OF Gano street. The
tracks will emerge from the tunnel onto
solid fll made from the material ex-
oavated from the tunnel being az an
elevation OF from 20 10 25 feet above mean
high water
CROSSING THE SEEKoNK.
The course easterly runs at about right
angles to the East Providence shore
crossing the Seekonk river perhaps one
eighth mile north OF the Twin Islands
One branch curving TO the south will
give double track connection leading
10 Watchemoket, India Point. wilkesbarre
Pier. Warren, Bristol Fall River and
Newport Another branch curving to the
north gives a doIae track connection TO
Valley Falls and Worcester and East
Junction, Attleboro and Boston, by way
OF the two existing East Providence
branches.
The draw bridge over Seekonk river, by
the provision OF the Enabling act, must
give 30 feet clear opening for vessels. II
is quite likely that bascule or roller
lift bridge. while more expensive than a
swing bridge, will be found better suited
for this locality.
The grade In the tunnel will probably be
about u or l5 feet TO the mile, or about
three inches per 100 feet, and falling in
one direction. that is, TO the east This
can be varied. even during the construc-
tion. II desired, but in any event the light
est possible grade consistent with good
drainage can fortunately be adopted, so
that whatever motive power may be used
In an emergency will be lightly worked.
FOR ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT.
The plans d. not show any shaft or
vent. as some call IL, in the vicinity OF
BROOK street. as was first considered This
Is believed 10 be unnecessary for ventila-
ton purposes and can be economically dis
pensed with The omission OF this shaft
VIII doubtless allay some apprehension OF
the residents In that immediate vicinity.
While none OF the railroad officials care
10 be quoted with regard 10 electric opera
ton, IN would seem evident from the rapid