Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-07-11
\, P, PLANS NEW
DEPOT IN OLYMPIA
WITHIN NEXT YEAR
Authoritative Report Says Rail
road Will Spend $4,000 on
Proposed Station.
WILL SOON BUILD TUNNEL
Contract for Concrete Subway Be-
ing Awarded-Improvements
Will Total $685. 900.

Authoritative reports around local
railroad circles this week, while carry
ing various sorts of rumors as to pro-
jected railroad development soon to be
made in this territory, were specific on
one thing: an item of $4,000 for a
new station for Olympia is in the
budget now being framed by the North
ern Pacific for the ensuing fiscal year.
A new station for Olympia has been
talked about, rumored and re-rumored
many times in the last few years, with
no results, but it is stated on good
authority that new local station is
In the budget as recommended by the
officials of this district to the head Of
fees in ST. Paul and every effort will
be made by these officials to see that
item is still there when the new bud
get is approved.
What adds credence to the report
current this week is the fact that the
Northern Pacific Is now considering
bids for the construction Of concrete
tunnel under Seventh street and q
concrete trestle in place Of the wood
en- structure in the eastern part Of the
city. These improvements were in
corporated in the railroad company's
last agreement with the city and must
be finished within the year. Included
with them in the agreement is this
new depot.
The estimated cost of the new tun-
mel is $175,000 and this, added to the
estimated cost of the new station,
means that the Northern Pacific con-
templates the expenditure of $225,O00
in Olympia within the next year. That
will be the largest sum this or any
other railroad has spent in this city
for years and indicates that the city
which has been generally passed up in
previous railroad construction bids
fair to get it's share of improvements
this year.
The improvement Is sorely needed
and will be gladly welcomed by local
residents. The fact that this railroad
will spend that much money in this
city also tends to remove the Ill feel
ing that exists in some minds owing
to sights, real or fancied, they believe
the city has suffered In the past, and
will place the railroad in far better IA
yor in local circles.
Bids for the work were opened in St.
Paul last Saturday, but up to yester-
day M. F. Clements, the assistant en-
gineer in charge Of the preliminary
work on the improvement, had not
received notice as to whom the con-
tract was awarded There were two
local bidders, w. A. Weller and Joseph
Wohleb, and other from Tacoma, Sc
attic, Portland and st. Paul, 13 in all.
Work will be begun on the new tun-
mel and trestle just as soon as the con-
tract Is awarded, Mr.. Clements said
this week, which is expected to be be-
fore the end of July. But one track
will be laid in the tunnel for the pres
ent, but the plans provide for eXten-
sions for two other tracks, in case they
are needed in the future. Seventh
street will be made 60 feet wide, with
a 36-foot roadway and 12-foot con-
crete walk on each side. About 30
men will be employed on the work at
the start but more will be added as 1t
progresses until probably $50 or 200
men will be kept busy.