New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-08
BRIDGE REPORT IN.
Nezo York Branch of Interstate Com
mission Ready.

The report Of the New York Interstate Bridge
Commission 10 the Legislature was made public
yesterday. In substance it was as outlined in The
Tribune a few days ago. After a history of the
commission, II tells the findings Of the joint com
mission.
When the work was begun two bridges across
the Hudson had been projected one to be
opposite 18th street Manhattan, and TO be
known the New York and New Jersey Bridge;
the other to be bridge from some point be
tween 18th and 23d streets. and was to be known
the North River Bridge. An auxiliary project to
the New York and New Jersey Bridge mad also
taken concrete shape in the plan for an elevated
structure for freight communication and trans
portation along West street. but this was promptly
vetoed by Governor Odel Both these projected
bridges when the commission formed. were
more in the nature of private passageways, or
rather passageways for special purposes than pub
lie highways between the two states. The plans
for the 18th street bridge were for span OF 'oV
feet, and the total cost Of its construction and ap-
proaches was TO be S75.c00.0J0, figures which the
commission does not accept
The downtown bridge with its anchorages was
TO cost about S2SO0000 and with the added cost OF
terminals, about $l000Oo,0Q0.
The commission finds that there two points
on Staten Island from which a bridge could be
built prodtabIy-one from Point Richmond TO Ber-
gen Point, which, with a bridge from Hudson
County TO Manhattan. would afford all land COM
munication with Staten Island and the other site
at the end Of the trans-Staten Island Boulevard at
Holland Hook to ELzabethport. which would fur
nish connections with the waterfront to the vari
Gus trunk lines ending on the Jersey shore
OF the pracucability Of a Hudson County-MaIl-
haitian bridge the commission says:
1t would appear that the cost of a bridge within
the limits bounded by l4th and I'D streets. Manha,
tam would not be in any case less than 100000
and anchorages; it would perhaps S55oOo,Ooo.
a LOCATION somewhere between l4th and "a streets,
Manhattan, for the New York terminal OF the
bridge would serve best the purpose Tor bridge
which would come within the scope OF the organic
act OF your commission. and that, in view of the
large space neeoed Tor terminals. II they were to
freight traffic the bridge should be primarily for
tsan f6 t6e tPa5E ines 4 tbe tro ines incd
Ing however, hghpower line crossing and con
on more points in the rear Of the bluff parallel
lie Hudson where such connections would be most
convenient providing for such high power trolley
tickets coIId he sold and baegaeo checked for
points on the trunk lines with which this trolley
line would connect
In regard 20 the piers for such bridge your
commission is emphatcally Of the opinion that they
should be within The pierhead Inc so taat no IN
reference should be occasioned 70 the neVlsapHty
Of the river. and that the height OF the bridge
not to be less than 80 feet above high water.
As hereinabove shown. the only two private en-
ears nave failed 10 be brought to practical con
cusions and this of itself confirms the commission
in its opinion that the only practicable way OF
large expense Is justified, is BY a public work to
b. entirely under the control or the states or 5nu
by f-a benefit accrung 70 the localities by reason.
among other things. Of the increased taxable value
Of real estate.
Your commission begs further 70 report that the
not. as yet signihed TO your commission their
agreement o. any act to be passed by the LeEisla-
Of that providing for the appointment OF
such a joint commission as is referred TO in the
organic authority Of your commission Chapter 260
OF the Laws OF 1906 and, therefore. your commits
sion is not at the present moment able 10 report
to your honorable body any appropriate legislation
TO be passed by the state Of New York but your
commission Will report at the very earliest
moment. when II is placed In position to do
by representatives Of the Governor and Legislature
Of the State of New Jersey.