The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-06-28
SUBWAY PROJECT WOULD
COST ATlEAST $l6.OO0,OOO
SAYS ENGINEER MCCORMICK
This Would Be for Construction
Alone and Equipment Would
Be Extra
NJ. o. FOLK SHY AT SCHEME
Think First Step in Solving
Traction Problem is Acquiring
of Surface Lines
NJ. o. FOLK SHY AT SCHEME

1T will cost the city not less than
81, 10000 a mile TO build two-track
subway" said City Engineer McCor-
mick to The Times. 10 build sub
ways In Woodward. Jeffersoh. Gratiot,
Michigan and Grand River-ayes. and
Forrest. as outlined before the coun-
eli committee, Wednesday, would re-
qulre $16.O00,000. That would include
stations. but would not include equip
ment The cars would make the cost
considerably higher"
The tentative plans as submitted TO
the committee by E W. Walker. an
engineer for the Michigan Central
railroad, called for the construction
OF subways, In the streets named, a
distance OF from two to three and a
half miles from the city hail. and II
Was stated that these would not be
sufficient for the city for any great
length OF time II the present rate OF
growth continued.
Toronto investigated the subway
project" continued Mr.. Mccormick.
The officials consulted expert engi-
neers on subway construction and an
approximate price of $l.000,000 a mile
was determined as the cost, When
the city learned the cost 1t gave up
the plan, satisfied that conditions did
not demand such an outlay.
IL do not want 10 express my opin-
ion as TO Detroit's need Of subway;
! II might offend some OF the gentlemen
OF the council who are investigating
the proposition. But, nothing can be
lost by making a preliminary investi-
cation, for, II the information Is not
required Immediately, II may be useful
at later date.
The committee did not notify me
! OF the meeting to discuss the plans
! for the subway Wednesday, or | would
! have been present. | have said that
/ IL the council wants me TO investigate
this matter and draw up preliminary
plans | would do so just as soon as
could dispose OF some of the other
work that has piled up on this depart
ment The city has been growing won
derfully and extraordinary demands
have been made on our department
Unless the council wants the paving
the sewers and the building OF bridges
Put aside we cannot take on the sub
way project at once.
ITO be frank, don't know how bad
the congestion is down town during
the evening rush, or, IL IL Is so grea'
that the congestion could not be re
llieved by the rerouting OF the cars
4 have been down town after o'clocl
lin the afternoon, but three or fou
times in the past two years"
The council is by no means agrees
that a subway Is necessary at th'
present time, the resolution merel.
calling for the investigation OF the ad
Visibility OF a subway. and, II II II
deemed necessary, the cost OF con
lstruction. The committee started q
once TO determine the cost.
/ There Is one serious obstacle In thu
way OF building subway at this time
In the opinion Of some OF the city offi
Gals and business men, who wan
Detroit to own It's street car system.
I 1T will cost pile of money for thu
i city to take over the surface lines
said a city official If we decide nov
TO build a subway and load up witt
debt think II will make II Just tina
much more difficult in the end for tn
city to take over the surface lines. 0
course, II would be an ideal condition
II the city owned its surface lines a
present and was financially able to g
ahead with the subway plans, but be
lleve in taking one step at a time. an,
in my opinion the starting Of subwa
project at this time would queer tn
municipal ownership proposition.
the city was bounded for $4,000, 900 o
more for a subway the people nigh
not wish to add to that burden b,