New-York tribune., 1906-11-26
BRIDGE TERMINALS.

Rv its action last week the Board of Esti-
mate definitely committed the city to rather
antiouated policy in regard TO Its bridges. Such
cooperation between two of these structures as
would tend 10 distribute traffic and avert con-
gestion at terminal stations has been precluded
and hereafter each bridge must take care of its
own patrons For the benefit of those who
make use of the older one. it is proposed to run
loops for both trolley tracks and elevated trains
ont over Park Row and Centre street, the neces-
sary space for them being secured by the pur-
chase of the site OF the Stats Zeitung build
ing and adjacent property.
To hold that this plan will give relief
whatsoever would he foolish, for it will GER
tainly promote the dispatch of trains at more
frequent intervals than Is now possible if 1t
does not render feasible the addition of another
car or two TO every train Whether it will
serve the public as well as would an elevated
road connecting the Brooklyn and Williamsburg
bridges is another question. The Tribune has
been disposed TO believe that the latter project
gave better promise of safety. comfort and
speed, and are not yet convinced that we
have been in error. The suppositon that the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company wants loop
which would connect the bridges has been used
argument for not providing one. but it
may be urged with equal or greater force IN
advocacy of the scheme. The interests of a cor
poration and those of its patrons are not al
ways antagonistc. In any case, the municipal
authorities assume q grave responsibility in de-
termining 10 treat each bridge as an independent
highway If their anticipations are not realized
they will undoubtedly hear in due time from
those who chiefly interested in the matter
the tens of thousands who have occasion daily
to use the Brooklyn Bridge.
1t may be taken for granted that the loops
for trolley cars will emerge from the station
at lIph hat will pyiStinC
tracks In Park Row and Centre street. Accord
ingly. it would seem to be necessary for passen-
gers to embark and dsembark inside the sta
tion, they do now. If this surmise proves
10 be correct a more thorough separation of in
coming and outgoing traffic will doubtless be
effected than is practicable at present. Perhaps.
too, It Will be feasible to a larger number
of trolley than now enter and leave the
station. In these two possibilities lies the only
justification for making any new arrangement
for surface cars
The appropriation made the other day for
terminal stations for the Manhattan Bridge
aims only at the execution of plans which We're
adopted year or more ago, and is not likely
TO provoke criticism. That structure Is de-
signed TO carry four sets of tracks-two for
trolley cars one for trains from elevated roads
and one connecting with subways in Manhattan
and Brooklyn. The provision of a large assem-
Dly IOoI1 III OH lAlS S1ue VI lllt iIFeI
betrays expectation that passengers will &C.
cumuate there and it must be considered a wise
precaution. If there be no consolidation of
traction interests In the mean time. the facilities
for trolley traffic will probably duplicate those
now afforded by the Williamsburg Bridge Ger
tain lines Of cars In Brooklyn will carry passen.
gers 10 the Manhattan terminal, and certain
lines now operating in Manhattan will take
their passengers to the Brooklyn terminal Pre-
cisey what use will be made of the bridge by
the companies controlling the elevated roads on
each side of the river remains to be seen. Pos
sihly they will not avail themselves at all Of the
opportunity offered TO them. However, since
the bridge ends at the Bowery, 1t should be
feasible 10 effect a junction with the Third
avenue road, in case the Interborough considers
such step desirable The utility of the tracks
for subway trains. of course depends on the
consummatlon of projects which have not yet
been undertaken. Still, tile Board of Estimate
merely takes a long look ahead In this matter
recognizing the probability that the Manhattan
Bridge will not be completed for two or three
years to come.