The morning journal-courier., 1908-10-29
R. R. COM MISSION HERE ON NOV. 1T To Discuss Proposed Elimina- ton of Grade Crossing at
 Bridge and Water
 Streets,
TO OPEN GRANNISS CORNER
This md Frcights for Water Street Discussed at Meeting of Alder manic Committee Last
 Evening.

The aldermanic committee on rall- roads and bridges met in city hall last night to discuss the proposed improve ments on Water and Bridge streets in eliminating the grade crossing, While they did not pass favorably to recom- mend the bridge proposed they will probably do so before the l1th of No- vember, on which date the railroad commissioners will be In New Haven to discuss the proposed bridge The committee did state, however, that they will only favor a three per cent, and not five per cent grade.
 There were two other petitions be- fore the committee, one for permission on the part of Water street merchants to use tracks there for freight trans portation and the other to have cov- ering put on the James street bridge. The latter was recommended and the former will probably be after the com mittee go to the street and see condi- tions.
 The proposed Bridge and Water street bridge to abolish the grade AA ANsoAAiS VIII nave d blS tIlttl Oll lLdl- fic conditions. If 1t goes through, cars can be run direct from Grannis corners | and neighboring parts to the center of the citp, saving about ten minutes or | more on every trip for each car
 Two problems face the plan The cost and the disposition of the property there. It was stated that the railroad who ask the improvement, would have to pay all of the costs The law says i that when the railroad asks the in- ! provement they must meet all the ex- penses when the city makes the peti. ton, they have to pay IA of the cost | if 1t Is an old street and 1-2 If 1t is c new one, the state also paying part
 It has been stated that the improve. mont will cost the city something oil technical points, the proposed work be- Ing in excess of the work stipulated by law that the railroad shall pay all | for it.
 1 Tn connection with the disposition of property, Forbes and Bridge streets will be closed in part. The streetway will be left The law says that when street is closed, the property Jeff l shall revert to the original property owners; l. e. those who owned the land In the street before it was used for street purposes There will be com plcatlon for the corporation counsel 10 settle in this matter.
 1 The railroad commission was to have l decided the matter in Hartford first on october %. then on November 10, tance of being here to understand con- dltions, they have consented to meet here.
 City Engineer Kelly explained map of the plan to the committee last night. He said, The bridge will be a great improvement. but 1t should not be built until 1t can be done decently. A five per cent, grade is too steep.
 There was another petition before the committee asking that the abandoned trolley tracks on Water street be used by the merchants to have goods taken by freight. F. s Wheeler of the Econ omy Manufacturing company said Freight now has to be put on wagons If this continues, we will have to move to North Haven, Branford of Monto. wese to get freight accommodations
 The wires are u? on Water street. and there IS no objection from the railroad company. The tracks are heavy enougt to sustain the weights of the freights It has been done in other cities. and there is no known opposition here"
 Ex- Alderman Thomas Molloy added This would help lumber and coal deal. CTS and all those having docks or Water street. It would increase bus.
 mess,
 James street bridge was backed bS Alderman Marlowe on grounds of the injuries received from things dropped there by passing trains