Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-06-24

NEW PLAN TO END
CROSSING TROUBLE
Madison Residents Offer to
Buy Properties May Be
the Solution.
Especial to The Evening start

| MADISON, June 24.-An entirely
new proposition that may result in a
| satisfactory agreement between this
| town and the D., l.. and w. railroad
! over the matter of grade crossing
| elimination, over which there has
been so much dispute here, has been
| brought to the attention of the Com
mon Council.
A wealthy resident of Madison,
whose name is withheld, proposed by
| buying q large amount of property,
| charging streets and other work OF
a similar character, to adjust the un-
satisfactory condition at Ridgedale
avenue.
This public spirited citizen Is will
| ing to purchase the Callmeyer, j. H.
| Schmidt and Force properties adj
joining Ridgedale avenue and close
| that street between Park avenue and
Madison avenue. But q new highway
| will be put through the rear of these
properties, parallel to the present
street. A public park will be made
of the remainder of the purchased
properties, and the present road bed
of Ridgedale avenue. This new park
will be Joined to the present James
Memorial Park, making a continuous
park from Main street to the pro-
posed new street,
1t is also proposed to close Madison
avenue from the intersection of
Kings road to Main street. In order
to take care of the increased traff1c
that will be caused by the closing OF
Madison avenue, 1t is proposed TO
widen Park avenue from the new
street to Main street. This can De
done without much expense on ac-
Ia ri on a
side. The aforementioned resident
also proposes to widen Kings road.
from Madison avenue to the location
of the new station, to the width of 10
feet. ~,
The widening of Kings road will
involve the purchase of parts of the
properties of James E. Burnet, W.
Heywood Burnet, Edgar e. Burnett
I. r. Wilson garage property, Ryan
courts. Dr. Harry V. Bingham, e. +.
Fetch and the Miller brothers.
Another part of the proposition IS
that the railroad is to shift its tracks
about fifteen feet to the southwark.
The widening Of Kings road Will al
low this to be done. If the tracks
are shifted it will prevent Damage
to the light and air in the PUBIC
Library and avoid posSlpie suls
from this quarter.
Madison's benefactor will bear prac-
tically all the cost of this great i'm
provement which, while not esti-
mated. is conceded to be immense
DISPUTES, over clearances, cost, ETC.,
at Madison avenue and Ridgedale ave
nue. were the cause of much of the
trouble between the railroad and the
council. BY the proposed plans TINS
difference will be eliminated.
Another difficulty Eliminated.
Another cause for the final break
was the indemnification OF the rail-
road for the damages caused by the
closing of streets which Will nave
to be closed in order to facilitate the
| work of construction. But 1t is I'M
| derstood that the railroad committee
| has procured waivers of damages
from the property holders that VIII
be affected Another difficulty is thus
settled.
The only shred of difference that
remains is the limitation OF the dam
ages to be borne by Madison to $lQ,.
900 and il is thought that there VIII
be little trouble on this score.
1t is learned on reliable authority
that the officials of the Lackawanna
favor the plan proposed by the
wealthy resident. According to the
report of Councilman Van DeWater,
of the railroad committee. that set
Element is expected within a week,
| they too. must see their way clear TO
bring the matter to a satisfactory
close.