The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-12-20
new HILL GRADE -
IMPOSSIBLE, SAYS
ENGINEER CHARLES
City Official Literally
Throws Cold Water on
West Side Plans.
MAY REQUEST C. go.
TO RAISE BRIDGE
Improvement Association
Asks Board to Delay the
Paving of Main Street.

There is little chance that plans of
the West Side improvement associa-
ton for the establishment of a new
grade to the Main street bridge, will
be carried through for at least ten
years, City Engineer Charles said to-
day after the results of the improve
ment society meeting last night had
been told him. He stated that between
$250,00O and $4,000 would be neces-
sary to carry out the plans JHe did not
make a report at the meeting but will
do so later.
The improvement association will
be represented by a committee of T.
c. Hubbard, Charles Moore and Alon-
70 Gardner to demonstrate against i'm
mediate action being taken in the con-
firmation of the improvement resolu-
ton for the bricking of the Main
street hill. The association wants the
board to defer the improvement on
the hill, until it has been ascertained
if the level of the bridge can be chang
ed
The West Siders want the bridge
built on level or as nearly so as pos
sible to eliminate the dip under the C.
and O. bridge. This would establish a
grade crossing at First and Main
street. The dangers Of this were dis
cussed at the meeting and it was sug-
gested that Waterman could be plac-
ed there at all times.
New Bridge Necessary.
Engineer Charles said a new bridge
probably would be necessary as it is
doubtful If the required changes could
be made in the present bridge to fit
the change. The bridge as it stands,
will last ten or fifteen years he be-
lieves.
The West Siders presented plan of
entering First street, giving access to
the Starr Piano company, Minck's
Brewery and the power plants in the
river bottom by running a street par
allel with Main street west from Sec
ond street through the front yards of
the houses on the north side of the
street 1t would be so arranged by
arches that there would be no inter-
ference because of the changed grade
This would necessitate an addition
of about APO feet of bridge work al
though steel would not be necessary
The bridge would come out at Second
street. The railroad track would be one
foot higher than the bridge and a
change in the grade would be neces-
sary.
Public Not Liable.
These matters were carefully consid-
cred by the improvement association
and Attorney Gardner advised the
members that the supreme court rul-
ings for the last five years, holds the
public not liable for damages to rail-
roads when new grades must be es-
tablished to conform with street grad
ings.
City Engineer Charles may suggest
to the improvement association when
he makes report next month. that an
effort be made to have the C. and o.
bridge raised one foot. He stated this
will eliminate much of the trouble
which is the cause of the demand for
a new bridge.
The matter of cost makes the plans
of the organization Impractical, city
officials said. The county builds all
bridges, including those In the city.
The city government is expected to
keep the bridges in good repair. Mr..
Charles stated it is doubtful if the
county would consent to pay anything
towards such change