The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-02-13
GIVES
HIS ESTIMATES
STATES CONDITIONS AND COST
Principal Witness In North Coast
Proceedings Is Chief En-
gineer of Road.

/
gineer Of Road.
F. L. Pitman was the principal
witness in the condemnation proceed
ings before Judge Rigg Saturday. In
his testimony he gave estimates Of
the cost Of constructing three lines
which have been surveyed by the
North Coast, and which would be
practicable and feasible routes. It
has been brought out in the evidence
Of these cases that four different
routes have been surveyed, and are
known in the court room as "A, /"
3D." &C." and ID" lines. Mr.. Pit
man stated that the "A" line. which
is the located route of the North
Coast ON the Northern Pacific's right
of way, would cost for grading $44,-
1T; additional cost to N. p. in
double tracking, which would re-
quire 9947 cubic yards Of rock fill-
ing, $99,457; changing county road
or under crossing, $11,500; inter-
locking plant at Parker, cost of in
stallation, $4,000, cost of mainten-
ance, $4,000. one-half Of which will
be paid by the Northern Pacific, maxi
ing total Of $4,000 to the North
Coast for the plant; cost of over
head crossing at Parker, $1S9,706,
less saving of $4,000 for interlock.
ing plant, $154,706; cost Of raising
grade for security against high water.
$8,197, total cost Of construction,
including separation Of grade, $685..
SGT.
The &c" line is on the west side Of
the river, keeping outside of the
Northern Pacifc's right-of-way and
tunnelling through the west hill Of
the gap, making "a tunnel $50 feet in
length. He said the cost Of grading,
including the tunnel, would be 1885,
ISL; changing the county road or
making an under crossing, $4,000;
interlocking plant at Parker, $35 :
900; overhead crossing at Parker,
the same as on the "A" line, and
cost Of raising the grade for security
against high water the same as the
"A" line; total, $457,054. The I'D"
line, which is on the west side Of the
river, passing from the upper to the
lower valley through a tunnel out
side the Northern Pacific's right-of-
way, the tunnel being 245O feet in
length, he said the cost would be the
same for the interlocking plant,
raising the grade and the overhead
crossing, but the cost of grading. in
GLIDING the tunnel would be $246,-
1874, making total Of $443,7s7.
The "B" line is on the east side OF
the river and Mr.. Pitman said this
line is considered impracticable on
account Of its failure to reach the
territory sought, greater amount of
curvature necessary, additional av-
erage grade, dangerous location at
Zillah and Union gap, increased ex-
posture to rain and irrigation water
and greater cost OF construction.
Mr.. Pitman also testified as to the
conditions of the stream and banks
of the river. He said It would cost
them from $50 to 500 per acre fo-
their right-of-way on the east side
of the river, whereas the right-of-
way on the proposed line would only
cost from $50 to SITS per acre. The
line on the east side of the river, he
said, would be in danger on account
of the fume of the Union Gap irri-
cation canal, and II the line was
swung further west to obviate the
fiume it would drop the line into the
river. He said the only way to
remedy the conditions would be to
construct the line below the point
where the fume is located or increase
the curvature Of the line, which, he
claimed. would be impracticable.
He spoke Of the condition of the
blum at the end of Yakima avenue
in Zillah and said that It would be
very dangerous to build q line on
the avenue, as the blur is constant
ly being washed away, and It would
not be long before the railroad
would be in great danger.
There Is more or less drift in the
Yakima river and the current Is very
rapid. and Mr.. Pitman stated that
on that account It would be impossi-
BILE to build Q substantial bridge.
Captain ]. H. Thomas was ON the
stand during the day and teatif1ed