American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-07-02
RAIL ROAD PLANS
IMPROVEMENTS
To Construct New Bridge and
Raise Grade Here.
Half a Million Dollars to BE Expen-
ded in Retterments-A Double
Track Bridge to BE Put in
Grade Raised ~ Feet.

The Oregon Short Line is pie
paring to expend a half a million
dollars at Aemrican Falls in bet
terments connected with the double
tracking of the system between
Pocatello and Minidoka Chief "a
mong these improvements is a new
bridge, costing s425, 600, across the
river. 1t will be fourteen feet
higher than the present bridge, and
of much heavier construction. The
fill necessary to bring the grade up
to the level of the new bridge, wide
enough for a double tract, will bring
the cost of the betterments beyond
the half million dollar mark.
By making so great a raise in
the level of the bridge the grade
on both sides of the river will be
materially reduced, so much as to
do away with thetrouble of starting
heavy trains which is frequently ex-
perienced. The grade through the
town will be very much higher than
it now is, being from six to ten feet
higher. Subways will be constructe
under the grade to enable the free
passage of teams and traffic, of suf-
ficient size and number to meet the
needs of large city. These can
be constructed at comparatively
small cost while the grade is being
raised compared to what they would
cost were they to be constructed at
a later period.
1t cannot be stated with certainty
when construction will begin, but
Indications are that it will be within
the next few months The order for
the bridge was placed some time ago
and it will be ready for delivery
before the grade can be raised to
Its level. An engineering crew is
now at work making the necessary
surveys and everything will be in
readiness for construction crews by
the time they are available. Double
tracking is now under way between
McCammon and Pocatello and it is
extended westward to Minidoka as
rapidly as preparations for the build
ing of the branch from Owinza
through Camas prairie to Boise,
which will answer the purpose of
double track and also make new
line through southern Idaho.
A change in time service will go
into effect in the near future, to
De appreciated by almost every town
on the line. Trains and will
De known as II and IS, and will
run in two sections. One sectiC
Will stop at all points, while the
other will make only such stops as
Is necessary. This service will be in
erect from Pocatello west, and will
make it possible for travellers from
tne far east and west to stop any
Wnere without inconvenience. IT.
VIII be particularly advantageous
10 American Falls and a few other
towns, affording them an outlet
ior eastern mails, which is grave
problem, as the mails are often too
neaVy to hang in catcher pouches.
The making public of these plans
ior betterments squelches several
rumors which have been current
ABOUT the joining of the company
with the Bruneau company in the
building of a dam near the site of
'ne wagon bridge, the top of which
would be used as bridge for the
road.
The beginning of construction
wiz be welcomed. Not only does
" toreshaddow better facilities and
oetter service but the expenditure
VI so large a sum of money in
developing community, where much
VI the land is an expense rather
'uah a source of income, for the
'eason that it is not sufficiently i'm
proved to becom eproductive. will
"Ssist materially in developing.