The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-07
BOLLING'S GREAT
ENGINEERING FEAT
Cuts Tunnel Through 1890 Feet
OF Solid Granite, With Half
Inch Variation.
COLD WEATHER HALTs WORK
Virginia Avenue Sewer to Drain
Southwestern Section
of Richmond.
COLD WEATHER HALTs WORK

With variation of less than one
half inch In It's grades and lines, the !
great tunnel through 1,S2O feet OF
solid granite under Virginia Avouuc, |
designed to give sewerage to large
part of tho southwestern section OF
the city. has been driven through, the
last blasts being made early Thurs |
day morning. notwithstanding the III |
tonsc cold the greater part OF the past
two days has been spent by City En-
sineer Charles L. Boiling and several
of the assistants in a minute inspcc-
ton of the gigantic undertaking, The |
party having traversed the tunnel from
end o end, examining walls and in
vert with the aid OF lanterns.
While warm enough for laying the
brick lining in tho interior. great ici-
clcs hung several feet long near the
ends. and the canal at the lower end
frozen hard. Mr.. Boiling expresses
himHelf as highly pleased with the
character of the work. and tho care.
ful engineering which has driven the
great tube, large enough in diameter
Tor team of horses. with ii steady
downward grade toward the FLYER,
with so true an aim that there was no
variation whatever in direction. while
the floor grades OF tho two working
zion OF about three cighths OF an
linen. REGARDED as remarkably even and
exact work for tunncIinE OF this char
actc9
Nearly Ready For cse.
ne great undertaking is now nearly
CONNECTED Halted by freezing
weather, practically all on tic main
contract that remains IL tho section
under tho tracks of tho Chesapcarc
ana ohio Railway and the canal TIL,
raceWay into the river has already
been completed. and il is believed that
Two "r three weeks of opon weather
VIII Sc" tho whole job delivered in
"orknanlike manner. ready for use
main tunnel has been constructed
o' IN. CITY under contract, By Stamp
fF. Fagland &. Co. Of this city. and the
York nan had the daily personal super
Eision o members of tina; firm. AS
instant Engineer keegan has been In
Eha &c for the city. with several inspcc-
tprs
The tunnel begins ar tho intersection
oi eoloTaao and Virginia Avenues. jus
co"ntrT place of Major James H. poo-
.rH End extends under tho section
hh"Wn as R:vcrvieW moro than one
'h'rH OF milo, reaching the canal bank
at HaNal! Station. oa the James River
DIVISION OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
haiiroad. the sever emptyinS into the
river Schinh 4 chain OF islands, about
three quarters Of m.le 10 scr down
,han u would have e.nnticd had the
original plans been followed The first
surveys called for 4 sewer following
the EaviRc through Major Dooleys
grounds By changing to the tunne.
construction ii is estimated the city
'"S saved $4,000 in construction cost,
neaidcs litigation that might have
arisen from emptyins drainage into
the upper river
branches Nearing Completion.
lhTee sreat arms OF tho main sewer.
SIS expensive as the tunnel itself. tho; ri,
not so difficult. have been construc;eu
by |. J. Smith Co, under contract
WIN the city and with very little more
bTchiayine can be coneoted Up as soon
rs weather conditions permit. The
main trlrk Of the sewer will begin a 4,
Cary Street and Davis Avenue. run
southwark alonS Davis Avenue by the
street car barns through tho old Idle
wood property, along tho bed OF the
ne" shields Grove lake. through vii
;Gruei "a, Colorado Avenue. 4 largo
branch spl;is Oft to tho cast. along Col
orsdo Avenue. Washington and Beverly |
streets, while d third stem runs from
the shields Grove property along |
Ashland. Meadow, Beverly and othor |
streets The sewer, with the street |
connections yet TO be laid, is designed
10 drain all of the city lying between
randolph Street on the east, Main ana |
Cary Streets on the north. the Boulc-
ward and[ William Byrd Park on theI
'vcsi, carrying all of the drainage direct |
to the James River. At present large
section around the car barns is Nat and |
cup sha ped. in which water stands jr |
large ponds after rains, forming n IN. !
u N a for
certain seasons and giving unhealthy |
conditions at all times.
Benefits Health of City.
The Health Department estimates |
that the new sewer will result in ire
mcndous good while the City En- |
Sineer estimates that the sewer tax |
of 10 cents per linear foot from prop |
crty abutting on the new street !
together with the added use |
of city waite: wherever sewers are
provided. will yield the city return.
OF more than per cent. per annun. /
on The entire outlay, tunnel and ali /
Already a number of the service
sewers In Beverly, Jacauclne. Cary
and other, streets have been ordered.
and tho coming spring will sec hun |
drcds of street basins and house con. ,
ncctions made Vith the new drain, !
the largest and most expensive in tho |!
sewerage system OF the city. and the /,
one draining more than twice the ter
ritory of any other sewer.
The tunnel which forms the main
stem of tho gigantic drain is $50
feet long. mainly blasted through solid
rock. II was cut by means OF sew
eral shafts. the lowest point being 1876
feet below the surface of the ground
The tunnel and connections under the
railroad tracks and canal will cost
3 approximately 100000. Branches AMI
street sewers now under contract WIFI
add another 100000. and by the time
the laterals necessary for the section
to he drained have been placed. the