The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-11

Another plan for an east side approach
On the form of a viaducS was presented by
alderman Walter A. Presbrey at the
meeting OF the east side highway COM
mittee yesterday afternoon.
Mr. Presbrey is a civil engineer and
has been working on the plan but short
fime. On this account he has been un-
able TO obtain estimates for the construc-
zion features OF the work.
From the city engineering department
MIR Presbrey obtained the following fig
lures: Assessors valuation OF land and
buildings condemned. S209. Coz. 20; estimated
damage to other buildings. s73,S0o; tota!
e2s3, ,402.55
In presenting his plan to the commit
tee Alderman Presbrey went carefully
over all the ground previously covered
by the committee. including public sem
riment as shown at the hearings and in
the newspapers.
He attempted 10 refute the arguments
In favor OF a tunnel or an easy-grade
street and assert his belief that VIA
duct was the best plan. His idea utilizes
Dyer street. and then by spanning South
Water and South Main streets brings the
viaduct upon the line OF and into George
street.
Some of the main points OF his plan
are as follows: The condemnation OF that
strip OF land 40 feet In width now fronting
on Exchange street and extending from
Weybosset into Dyer street. formerly oc-
cupied by the Providence Journal Com
pany and Evening Telegram Company.
which together with the present sidewalk
OF Exchange street now I'm front Of said
property, which measures feet wide
making In all 4s feet In width. which is
the present width OF Westminster street.
will be used for the approach OF the pro-
Win O.
tanning wall with earth filling.
Dyer street, the river and South Water
street to be spanned by granite-faced
arches. as nearly as possible at right
angles with the river The section from
South Water street 10 South Main street
(Which will come all together between
buildings now builD TO be carried by
reinforced concrete arch construction.
South Main street TO be spanned by
granite arch
The section from South Main street 10
Hopkins street to be carried be REIN
forced concrete constr1 tion from north
line OF Hopkins street 10 Benefit street
10 have granite faced retaining wall with
earth filling.
AT South Main street stairway to be re-
built.
The raisIag OF the grade of Benefit
street four feet at the northeast corner
OF George street which can be done with
little damage 10 property on Beneft
street.
The widening of George street from 40
60 80 feet from BENEFIT street TO Magee
street, which will make said street then
OF uniform width of 80 feet as far as
Hope street.
A straight grade from BENEFIT street to
Prospect street instead OF two grades as
at present
Only one sidewalk 10 be constructed on
the north side of proposed viaduct from
Weybosset street to benefit street 10 feet
wide. leaving roadway for travel 36
feet in width.
The extension OF Exchange street
across the river 80 feet wide parallel with
and adjoining the proposed viaduct.
All through" traffic by trolley TO be
handled by running double track over vi
aduct through George street 10 Thayer
street Car traffic down Weybosset street
not going over viaduct TO be diverted
from in front of the approach at Weybos-
set street into Exchange street across
Dyer street and the river and connect
with double tracks on South Water
street, going north and south.
The average distance bv proposed Via
duct is 446 feet longer from Exchange
street 10 Angel and Waterman streets
than by the tunnel OF Mr. Parsons. and
the additional height OF the viaduct pro-
3ect climbs more than the tunnel is from
9TAayer- street Prospect street The
time consumed by trolley between the
Aforementioned points by the viaduct
The viaduct grade from Weybosset 10
Dyer street would be six feet per 100 on
about 240 feet: grade from the west line
OF Dyer street to west curb OF Benefit
street. about 73l feet, 5-4S. to 100 per
cent"
In conclusion Mr.. Presbrey says:
1T will not be denied that the viaduct