South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-10-31
TRACK ELEVATION
PLANS APPROVED
Lake Shore Will be First to
Raise Its Tracks Through
South Bend.

A resolution providing that the
Lake Shore tracks Will be elevated
through the down town section OF
the city was approved by the board
or public works in session Tuesday
morning.
This is the nr OF n series Of
steps that will be gone through be-
fore the actual work Of putting the
tracks above the street levels will
finally be undertaken.
Probationary plans for the eleva-
ton have been discussed by Joint
meetings between the railroad men
and the city officials. and the an
nOuneement OF the final passage Is
the elimination or many months
work. The general plan has been
worked out. but this Is subject TO
the approval OF the common council.
which must first pass upon the mat
ter.
All streets that at present cross
the railway will remain open.
though no streets that do not now
have u crossing will be thrown open.
The majority or the streets that Will
be crossed by the tracks will have a
clearance OF II 1-2 feet, though a
special allowance OF 16 feet at Mich
igan st, and Is feet Mt Chaplin St
will be permitted. owing TO the fact
that the surface cars must have
ample clearance.
VIII Go Under Tracks.
Michigan, Main, Lafayette. Prairie.
Scott, Chaplin and Bronson SITS. will
go under the tracks. There will be a
dip IN the approaches Of all these
streets, but IL will be slight in every
case and so graded back from each
side as 10 make practically no in
convenience.
Walnut. Fellows, Sample, Rush,
Ohio and High SITS. will be raised in
order to cross at a grade the raised
tracks The elevation will start at
High st. on the east, which will have
TO meet a six-inch grade. and Cherry
st. on the west, with a similar grade.
In the construction of the ele-
waited tracks the city is required to
pay. by the laws Of the state. one
quarter Of the cost of the crossing
of the streets. This means that the
city must pay a share Of the bridges
across the streets and also for the
work that must be done on the
street and sidewalks. For the re-
mainder of the elevation the city
has no liability
Will Be Lowered.
Michigan st. will be lowered 70 a
point six feet below the present high
rail, but since there is a raise at the
crossing now, the actual dip Will be
only four and one-half feet. The
natural depression at Chaplin St Will
be FIVE feet The greatest dip ira any
of the streets has been allowed at
Prairie av., which will be let down
six feet nine inches in order 10 per-
nit the construction of a failing
spur TO connect with the city fac
tories. Another spur will, no doubt
/ be let down between Michigan and
Fellows SITS, to connect With the
shipping there.
Though it is not yet certain, it is
supposed that the elevation between
the streets will be on an earth en-
| bankment. This is a matter, how
ever, Wnlcn IS unOer the Iull con-
troll of the railway itself. Retaining
walls must be provided though, al
any place that the embankment
I threatens TO encroach upon any but
railway property.
The resolution for the elevation
will be presented 10 the common
council for approval. Then a hear
/ ing will be held at which all inter
ested parties may appear and pre-
sent grievances. The matter will
then be placed in the hands of the
| board OF works for the filing of the
/ estimates of cost by the interested
/ companies as we'll as for the costs
to the city The council will pas:
/ the final decision.
Means New Depot.
The elevation of the tracks viii
mean the passage Of the old depot
| Though the matter has not beer
definitely decided, it is understood
/ that. in connection with the work
an up-to-date station viii be pro
vided with all of the conveniences
1 ;-cI,t9irw q spacia1 apnroacb ~