Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-29
THE>RINEs HILL CROSSING.
Mr.. ManlsX Urges a Careful Con.
sideratSon Of the Problem.
Editors Kennebee Journal:

VI Tic HISt tiilae denn1te PROPOSE
ton regarding the grade crossings is
before the people of Augusta. A great
deal has been said and written in the
past on this subject but now, for the
first time. is presented to>the people a
proposition absolutely definite as to
what is to be done to the grade cross
ings and practically definite as to the
cost and distribution thereof
The present plan is for a tunnel
under Rines hill for the steam rail-
road, the closing OF Court street and
nothing else. The Maine Central is to
plan out these proposed changes and
If they are approved by the Railroad
Commissioners. proceed to do the
work The estimated cost is 100000.
of which. the city is to pay $50 (not
to exceed $15.00O) the State is to pay
1870 mot to exceed $25,O0O) the trolley
road is to pay 1870 (not to exceed $15.-
OO0) and the Maine Central 45Te Cor
as matter of fact, at least $45. 900 and
all the cost in excess of s1O0,OOO)
On Monday. April 20, the voters of
Augusta are to decide whether this
plan, as above outlined, shall be
adopted.
In my opinion this is the most I'M
portant matter ever put before the
voters of Augusta within my recollec-
ton.
There is just one point about this
proposition which merits the approval
of every justly minded citizen. That
is, the recognition Of the community
OF the four interests involved in this
questionable city, the State and the
dc
the Legislature all these interests were
represented, and, as this bill was
passed without opposition, it seems
fair to assume that the division of
expense. viz: 40fs to the public (25T
to the State. $50 to the city, and 60"o
to the railroad t45% or more to the
Maine Central, 1870 to the trolley road)
represents such a division of the ex-
pense as did commend itself to the
representatives of all those interests
at the hearing and therefore can be
accepted on the whole as reasonable
and just. ....
If the voters of Augusta vote YES
on this Bill. the grade crossing at
Rines hill will be done away with and
that hill be made safe and much more
convenient for all travel. The danger
at Court street will also be eliminated
by the very simple process Of closing
Court street to teams and providing
an overhead bridge for foot passengers.
If these two great improvements
were steps toward completely salts
factory solution Of our difficult prob
lem, the present plan would merit
entire approval 1t seems to me, how
ever. that instead of being steps in the
right direction they are steps in the
wrong direction and ones that cannot
be retraced within the life times of
most of US now living.
II this plan is adopted and put into
effect, the location of the Maine Cen
trail tracks, as we'll as their grade, will
be fixed, and so permanently by this
anchor of the expenditure of 100000
that it will be idle to even consider
any future change.s%\
Among some of the objections to
this plan, though not necessarily in the
order of their Importance. are the
following:-
A. No help for the grade crossing
at Winthrop street.
r. No help for the grade crossing
at Bridge street, not. of course, as
added element OF danger to our fire
department In the year ending
February. 1909, out of GO alarms, Hose
No 1 and the hook and ladder truck
came down Bridge hill, on the run,
Just so times. Usually the proportion
of downtown alarms is larger. Death'
and destruction to property VIII
certainly result from COLLISION on
Bridge hill crossing between the hre
teams and train, and conf1agrdtloh
might be thrown in for good measure.
G. No help for the Maine Central )
bridge over Water street which rs al
together too low. especially for the
| trolley cars.
d. No Improvement whatever III
thc Maine Central'S freight ana
passenger facilities.
r No chance of relief for the Coii-
gestion of Water street and the addl-
tion To orr business section of mucn
needed room at exactly the right place.
.ucb as could come if the Maine
Central sought another location an"
d;.nosed of its present location for
business purposes.
There is no question about the
magnitude and danger of the prop'el'
which confronts us: but it seems Z"
mo those are the stronger reasons I"r
n right solution.
lust what that right solution is
will not assume to say.
In my opinion the present plan co1.7
too much and accomplishes too niue
Worst of ALL it commits us. practlca'ls
for all time. to a plan which, at pest.
only brings about a small measure oil
announcements 1t does not go 10 inc
root of the matter.
If Augusta is to grow III the i'eA'
forty wears as it has in the past forty
wears, the grade crossings at fii'es
hill Court street. Winthrop street ana
Bridge street should be done away
with The Maine Centrafs bridge
over Water street should be raised 70
a nroper height Adequate facilities
must be provided for handling the
Maine CentraIs freight and passenger
business The congestion of Water
street must be relieved and more room
must be provided for business puf-
poses.
Personally. | should like to see al
tbase things done right away. l
lo,,ox,or p,,Icb prefer to post