The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
TUNNEL PROJECT IS WORKED OUT AND PLANS ABOUT READY Beautiful Shades Valley Can Be Opened Up At Cost
 of S60,OOO
TENNESSEE co. WILL
 GRANT RIGHT OF WAY
Member of Board of Revenue Points Out Advantages That Accrue With Opening New Route
 Across Mountain.


 Across Mountain.
 While the work of putting Jefferson countys roads in shape has been going forward in the easiest and most satisfac- tory manner, members of the Board of Revenue have been very actively at work on the preliminary arrangements for one of the most important jobs they have yet lad at hand-that of cutting a tunnel through Red mountain.
 Information is obtained from member of the Board of Revenue that so far everything looks favorable to the tunnel project. It is learned that for more than a month the county surveyor has been busily engaged on Red mountain making c typographical survey, getting up maps and information which will be essential in the construction of the tunnel. This work was completed several days ago and was submitted to the engineer of the Tennes- see Coal, Iron and Railroad company, which owns the property through which the tunnel will run for approval. With a very few changes, it Is understood, the county engineers plans were accepted and the Tennessee company will grant the county the right of way under the moun- tain.
 The surveys, maps, profiles, etc., are all in shape and will be submitted to the Board of Revenue early this week for its consideration. It is understood that there is slight opposition to the project on the part of one of the members of the board hut it is believed that when the plan is understood thoroughly and the matter has been given due consideration there will be little to be done but to build the tunnel
 Where Tunnel Will Start.
 The plans as now drawn show that the tunnel will begin in the point of cove at the head of South Eighteenth street. and at a line on the side of the mountain which is just above Sixteenth street. The distance to be tunneled is between 800 and 600 feet, and the estimated cost of the work is about $60,000.
 Said a member of the Board of Reve- hue yesterday: Tt has always been rather remarkable that the property over Red mountain has never been worth more than it has been The clearly evident cause however, it seems to me. is that it has always been almost unapproachable.
 There is no doubt in my mind that the tunnel would pay for itself by way of the increased valuation of property in from five to 10 years. For instance, prop erty which formerly sold TOT about $50 an acre is now selling for from sSOO to $4OO an acre on account of the bright prospect for the construction of a tunnel through the mountain, and certainly were the tun- nel cut through the value of property adjacent would be greatly enhanced, since it is only two and one-half miles from the courthouse. The money derived from the increased taxation would no doubt pay for the tunnel in a comparatively short time.
 Attractive Residence Section.
 '"rhe tunnel would mean the connection of Jones and Shades valleys by an acces- sible route and would do much for the en largement of the city, furnishing a new and attractive residence section.
 While it is not probable that the work will be undertaken for possibly three months on account of the extensive work row being done on the roads it is hoped that the work can be taken up at the earliest possible time.
 ",The roads of Jefferson county, both Girt and macadamized, are of better con- struction and in better condition than they have ever been. The regular over seers are working on the dirt roads, and separate crews are engaged with the work of finishing up the macadamized high ways
 "The new macadamized Toadvine and Blue Creek roads will have been finished within 50 days. These two roads will give Bessemer better roads to the extreme southwestern part of the country than they have ever had. On the Mulga road the slagging has been finished and the cherting will begin Monday The com pletion of this road will be carried for ward as fast as large crew of men can do it justice. The Stouts mountain road will be completed within 30 days, furn- shing an excellent highway between North Birmingham and Morris.
 When the regular crews have finished with the dirt roads they will macadamize and finish the Tennessee road to the St. Clair county line, and the Mt. Pinson and Village Springs roads to the Blount coun ty line.
 When all of this work has been com pleted the center of attraction will be the beautiful new Shades mountain road, on which a great portion of the forces will be concentrated
 With the completion of the Shades mountain road and the tunnel, Birming- ham will have one of the most beautiful macadamized ariveways in the south. The scenery up Shades mountain, along the crest and down the far side, is very pretty, and the road, leading as 1t does down by Hale Springs and back to the city by way of the proposed tunnel route, will furnish an excellent driveway for auto- mobiles and carriages.
 "The tunnel will open up all of the coun-
 es..