Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-02
INTERURBGN ROADS PLANNED
Promoters Announce Network of 2s4
Miles Of Track.
FROM OMAHA TO SIOUX CITY
Contract for building Road Has Been
Let--RiEht-Of-way Secured aud
Financing f. All Ar
ranged For.

The first real interurban railroad in the
state OF Nebraska. embracing 2S4 miles of
track and bringing Sioux City, Ia; Elk
City. Decatur, Norfolk and many other
| populous Nebraska cities and towns into
close communication with Omaha, Is shortly
to be a reality, according to the plans an
nounced yesterday by the Baker construo-
ton company of this city.
The name Of the company is the Nebraska
| Transportation company and actual work
OF construction is about to begin. as fully
sixty miles OF right-of-way has already
been secured.
The contract for the building Of the road
has been awarded to the Baker Construc-
ton company with offices at S14 Range
building. Omaha
The road VIII run from Omaha to Elk
City and viii double track to that point
From Elk City the line will go In two d.
rections, one running north to Sioux City,
Ia. and will be ninety-eight miles in
length, while the other line will run in
northwesterly direction from Elk City to
Norfolk passing through a rich and popu-
loua section of the state and will be about
100 miles in length.
Franchises in Fremont and Decatur have
already been secured and work in obtaining
them elsewhere is progressing rapidly
Other terminal arrangements have also
been been made
The road will, in all probability. enter
omaha via Leavenworth street, thus giving
interurban service direct to the large retail
stores Of this city.
To Cost Eight Million.
The cost of this immense undertaking will
be $SOO0,OOO and 1t is being financed in
Europe The bond arrangements that have
been made are entirely satisfactory to the
officers Of the company. c. w. Baker of
the Baker Construction company returned
few days ago from New York City
where he was for five weeks conducting
negotiations with European capital for the
taking Of the securities.
The details are now being disposed of as
rapidly as possible and the construction
company is getting ready to let sub-con.
tracts. 1t is anticipated that the road will
be completed in about two and one-halt
years.
The construction company has secured
the services Of w. e. King, formerly with
( the Illinois Traction company, who has
charge of the engineering work No pains
will be spared to rush the work of con-
struction as rapidly as possible.
1t will be the purpose Of the manage
ment to give local interurban service be-
tween Omaha and Decatur every two
hours, distance OF sixty-seven miles and
1t is also expected that through service
between Omaha and Sioux City will be
had every two hours. In addition there
will be local interurban service between
Sioux City and West Point, Neb., every
two hours. There will also be through
service between Omaha and Norfolk, with
Madison connections. every two hours.
Power Plant on the EIkhOrn.
An immense power plant designed to
generate enough electricity to operate the
entire system, will be built on the Elkhorn
river two miles west of Elk City and will
generate 21OOO-horse power. The shops of
the road will also be located at that point
which is twentyone miles from Omaha.
The line will be constructed of the best
material throughout and the track laid
of heavy steel 1t is especially designed
to handle special interurban business, as
well as all classes of freight
The construction of this road has been
practically under cover for the last two
years and up to the present time its
promoters felt that 1t would not be wise
to give too much publicity to their plans.
But now that they are fully matured,
financial arrangements completed to the
entire satisfaction Of the officers of the
company, they haev consented to make
known to the public their arrangements
for the building Of the road, which is
destined to bring Omaha and its business
interests into quick and direct communi-
cation with the cities and towns through
which the road and it's connections will
pass.