New-York tribune., 1907-01-26
SUBWAY LOOP ASSURED
FOUR-TRACK BRIDGE LINK
Estimate Board ApwoUes-Cost,
S5,0O0y0O0-Ready IN g 1-R Years.

The Board Of Estimate voted yesterday 70
build subway tour-track loop In Manhattan
connecting the Brooklyn and Williamsburg
bridges. at probable cost OF about So 600 OOO
with a separate four-track subway running
through Lafayette avenue TO Broadway in
Brooklyn. at cost OF less than 81 900, 900 a mile
Mayor Mcclellan believes that with this loop
system built and owned by the city, the munic-
lpality never need be at the mercy OF the trac-
ton companies. no matter how much they merge.
His views are shared by the best railroad ex-
perts who have made study OF the local trac-
tion situation
Chief Engineer Lewis. OF the Board Of Esti-
mate and AppoTtionment, thinks that the new
subway can be built in two and a half years.
With its four tracks IL will enable the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit Company 10 operate its cars
across both bridges and II desirable the Inter
borough company can use two OF the tracks to
reach into Brooklyn territory
President Winter OF the Brooklyn Rapid Tran
sit has signified his willingness to use the new
loop. and Mr.. Belmont says his company will
heartily cooperate with the city in any at
tempt 1t may make 10 facilitate the handling Of
the throngs on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Many engineering difficulties will be encoun-
tered in remodelling the Manhattan terminal Of
the Brooklyn Bridge as TO get practicable
grade for the Brooklyn cars, which will be
Underground IN Centre and Delaney streets,
and which must climb to the bridge tracks on
a per cent grade A 5 per cent grade gives
railroad men the nightmare, but the Boston sub
way is afflicted" with Il and still runs quick
schedule OF trains. The salvation of the scheme
IS the fact that the city Is going TO take the
'Staatz-Zeitung' block for terminal pur-
poses. The Beard Of Estimate and Apportion-
ment yesterday directed the Bridge Department
20 change the plans for the proposed ter
minal and plan TO run two tracks for elevated
cars off the bridge into the subway. and land
the trolleys on the meZZanine floor. thus exactly
reversing the location of the respective tracks
as authorized two weeks ago.
Tho engineers ara confronted with a knotty
problem at two points in Brooklyn in getting
elevated cars underground. There viii be a
dip from the elevated somewhere near Lafay-
cite and Flatbush avenues, in Brooklyn. where
the city may be Obliged to buy half a block. and
another one at Lafayette avenue and Broadway,
where the elevated cars will again be compelled
TO burrow. The grade IS against the engineers
at Lafayette avenue and Broadway, thus aggra-
waiting the matter. Chief Engineer Lewis says,
however, that the plan is entirely feasible and
that the system will be in full operation in two
and q half years.
AS soon as the construction of the loop system
is under way the city will ask the traction COM
panies 10 make proposals for its use. so that
there may be no delay after the subway is fin
ished.
The Appellate Division already has approved
the route, SIS II was incorporated IN other pro-
posed routes decided earlier by the Rapid
Transit Commission. The action taken yester-
day does not include the adoption Of a plan for
extending a subway down either William or
Nassau street
from Park Row and Centre street north through
Centre street to Delaney. thence east TO the
Clinton street approaches 20 the Williamsburg
bridge. distance Of 1900 feet