New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-31
PLAN BROOKLYN LOOP.
Scheme to AUOid Terminal Crush
and GiUe Single Fare.

One Of the most far reaching Of the many
schemes now under discussion for the solution
of New YOrk's transportation problem deals with
the practical elimination Of the East River as a
factor in the situation. The troubles Of Brook
lynites who have to come to Manhattan have
been increasing. Already Brooklyn Bridge is
taxed to its utmost capacity There is no room
on it for more cars, and even II there were the
structure is not strong enough to sustain any
additional burden. The opening of the Will
iamsburg Bridge has made no appreciable dimi-
mutton in the demands on the older span, and by
the time the third bridge is completed the traffic
Will have increased So that the situation will be
as bad as ever, it is figured.
The root Of the evil transportation experts
say, lies in the fact that hitherto the traffic prob
lens of Brooklyn and Manhattan have been re-
garded as distinct From the Battery to The
Bronx it is possible TO travel without a change
and for a single fare. To penetrate a quarter Of
a mile into Brooklyn, on the other hand, means
a fight in crowd at the Bridge and d 10 cent
tax. The traffic managers realize that there is
no good reason for this condition OF affairs. and
they are perfecting plans to DO away with it.
The remedy. they think, lies in free passage OF
cars from one borough 10 another. collecting
passengers ar their doorsteps and depositng
them at their destina tiOns. not throwing them
out in one mass to fight for seats in another car
The first step toward this longed-for result will
it is said be the driving of a tunnel from Old
Slip, in Manhattan, TO Bedford avenue. IN Brook
lyn This tunnel is to be reached on both sides
of the river by subways, which VIII form a huge
circle. The question still undecided is whether
this circle is TO be completed on its northern side
by another tunnel or by the Williamsburg
Bridge. Both schemes have their advocates
and whichever is adopted, the effect on the pres
ent bridge crush is expected to be tremendous.
The more extensive Of these two plans calls
for a second tunnel TO be run under the East
River from near the end Of the Williamsburg
Bridge TO East 14th street these to merge IN
subway running under 14th street to Wooster
street Down Wooster street the line is to be car
ried 10 Canal street. thence across 10 Centre
street. and by way OF William street to the south
ern tunnel and so back to Brooklyn. From a
purely operating point of view this means. Of
course, the abolition OF all the delays and Confu-
sion which characterize any crowded terminal
The Brooklyn half of the loop. the subway
under Fulton street and Bedford avenue. will be
in its own way as important an Improvement
Brooklyn Rapid Transit system will he inter
sected by the projected route. and those inter
sections viii be the sites for the subway stations
An interesting detail Of the scheme provides for
the transfer OF passengers from the elevated
roads at Fulton street and FIatbush avenue. AT
this point it is proposed to erect escaIiers con-
Meeting the subway with the elevated structure
These escaIiers win he Of sufficient size TO enable
the traffic to flow over there without Interrupt
ton.