New-York tribune., 1920-07-18
Traffic jam to
Hasten Tunnel
To New Jersey
Hudson Bridge Also Sug-
gested to Do Away With
Congestion of Vehicles ON
Boats From Nearby State

Traffic conditions on the ferries be-
tween New York and New Jersey make
it imperative that some better means
of reaching the neighboring state
be devised. To this end the -vehicular
tunnel offers one solution. 1t is also
proposed that an interstate bridge be
built across the river
1t is stated by C. H. Larson, for in
stance, that the maximum number of
automobiles ferries can transport in
day is approximately $4,000. He says
that each boat carries an average of
twenty machines for twenty trips a
day. -Four boats on each line allows
for less than 1000 automobiles carried
IN day, and multiplying that by seven
lines gives a total of $4,000.
Against this he figures $4,000 cars n
day on the basis of single line roinr
and coming, and 40-foot margin be.
tween all machines. Mr. Larson states
that the Palisades Park Commission
| ofered to give 81 100000 toward a fund
Tor this bridge whenever called upon,
In the mean time trucking interests
are working in favor of the vehicular
tunnel under the river, which is max
ing real progress. A committee of the
advisory transportation engineers is
considering number of points to be
discussed In connection with the con-
struction of the tunnel.
VI course, an important thing is to
consider the proper width of the road
way, taking into consideration the num-
per OF trucks going and coming. Motor
trucks Will naturally predominant in
the tunnel. and motor trucks TODAY are
often overloaded and underpowered. It
VIII be necessary also for this com
mlttee to be able to forecast the limita-
tlons OF truck sizes and weights. Driv
ing in an inclosed space is likely to
make great many drivers nervous.
| and there are truck drivers who are
not particularly competent.
Among other possibilities the follow
ing are indicated:
Movement from time to time of
War Department motor vehicle equip
ment as portable kitchens, welding
shops, machine, blacksmith, print
sea1chlight equipment.
Legislation favorable to tractors
which may five years from now be
permitted to transport fifteen to
twenty-ton loads. Con account of
using wide tires per square inch of
road, adhesion of six wheels being
in accordance with possible formula
furnished by State Road Commits
soner, possibly state road inspectors
will actually be checking up truck
tires and loads five years from now.)
Necessity Of transporting via
motor truck from within radius of
250 miles Of New York merchandise,
machinery, food and general mate
lals urgently required for loading at
scaboard which could not be for
warded by freight because Of loss Of
time, etc. Railroad strikes, harbor
strikes, war preparedness.)
Bringing into New York fabricated
steel, concrete aggregate, cement,
etc, for buildings as we'll as the in
fuX that will result from new indus
tries that will be built up on the
Jersey meadows.
Elimination of streetcar lines and
future motor bus lines running from
possibly Fourteenth Street to Jersey
and Hoboken through tunnel. Pos
sibly double-de motor busses- will
be in use by the time tunnel is
opened, but will not pay unless
double decked to carry forty-four
passengers or by using tractor trailer
arrangement for single-dech busses.
1t will be necessary, of course, to
allow for the handling of disabled and
broken down trucks and to control the
movement of vehicles generally within
the tunnel and to arrange for the col
| lection of tolls