The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-10
CONTRACTORS LOOK
 FOR GOOD WINTER
Railroad Work Said to Be
 Contemplated
GRADING
EXTENSIVE
Illinois Central, Louisville md Nashville and Tennessee Company Said to Have Considerable Work in
 Contemplation
BY CLYDE ". ENNIS

Activity among contractors and other
 indications lead to the belief that this fall and winter will witness the inauguration of some very important railroad construc- ton work in the Birmingham district. Several contractors who have been away from Birmingham for several weeks are returning to the city for the purpose of being present when several large pieces of work are let. The center of interest lies in the Illinois Central and the Louis- .xile and Nashville railroads It is stated to start the ball rolling.
 It has been announced by the Louis vile and Nashville that the company in- tends to double track the main line from Birmingham or a point about 10 miles north of here to Decatur. The line has been surveyed lately and it is said to be very near the point of placing the con tract. W. L. Mapother, vice president of the company recently stated as much when in Birmingham.
 The new survey ofs the Louisville and Nashville will, it is believed, lower the present grades to a considerable extent and otherwise improve the main line. The grade trouble north of this city has been very difficult for the railroad to overcome and this is said to be one reason for the double track work.
 While Chief Engineer Baldwin of the Illinois Central stated short time ago that the prospects for building that com pany's line into Birmingham at this time were somewhat remote, at the same time intends to let some big work soon. Just what it is none of them will state How ever, it is said that a large amount of steel rail is being piled up at HaleyvilIe and that engineers are running lines be- tween that city and Jasper, It is expect ed that the companx intends to start work building from Haleyvile to Jasper soon. The contract with the Northern Alabama is said to be of such character that it may be cancelled at any time. so no hindrance would be found on this score. The company, it is believed. will not build from Jasper to this city during the next year or more. The company has a contract with the Frisco for trackage rights for 99 years, which are said to be very satisfactory to both companies. The earnings between Jasper and Birming- ham. it is stated, will not justify the expenditure of several million dollars for a line from that short distance to this city
 In addition to constructing a line from Haleyville to Jasner which ie hal;ax,ad +r, be a question of moment with the Illinois Central, it is stated that several short spurs are to be constructed to various coal mines and other industrial plants from points in Walker county
 In addition to the two well known rail- roads, local people believe several new ventures in railroad work will open up soon which will call for large contracts for grading and other forms of construc- ton work
 The railroads are not the only ones that are said to be about to let con tracts. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company will let contract soon for some new grading in Possum valley, near the scene of the great activity of development. This, added to the various small jobs always In process of comple- tion, will serve to employ the contractors very actively during the winter. The contractors, although Just at this time somewhat inactive, are expecting at al- most any time to receive invitations to bid upon work that will keep them busy for great many months.