Norwich bulletin., 1922-08-09
the c. N. E. Railway. per anuurn.

the c. N. E. Railway. per anuum.
 The record shows that since the en- actment of the statute, the company is in hefauR ci l46 s7ossirks sllnsna- tions.
 When this statute was passed and for a number of years thereafter. the expense of eliminating grade crossings was very much less than at present. ow- ing to present increased cost of labor and material Snd changed and built-up conditions in the vicinity of many of the crossings. particularly in urban sec tions. Recent estimates show that the average cost for eliminating a single crossing is considerably over s5o.ooo cer- tain crossings being two or three times that amount.
 Strict compliance with the statutory requirements would represent an expen- | diture of over s1 GOO 900. and the elini- | instion of the number of crossings in | default would involve an expenditure Of
 many r4ions of dollars beyond the present financial means of the com
 pany.
 | Every grade crossing Is recognized as being dangerous. some, however. niore than others. and the purpose of the statutory requirement as to elininztions l is for the protection of human lives and | of property at these crossings Owing to the increased use of high speed motor.
 vehicles on public highways. the eie- rnent of danger at grade crossings has
 been increased
 ''It may be admitted in passing that
 much of the high speed traffic increas-
 ing the element of danger. is to direct
 competition with the railroads, and pos
 sihly from an equitable standpoint should share in the expense Of elimination of the danger, but that is a matter over
 which the commission has no direct jur-
 isdiction, other than in certain instsnc-
 es as preserved by statutes.
 '.Recognizing the financial inability as wei as the inpracticability at this time of eliminating the number of crossings
 In dafault. or of meeting the annual requirements, the commission is of the
 opinion that some steps should be talk en in lieu of such elimination, of afford f ing better protection that an present ! particularly at grade crossings on trunk d | lines or state highways where there ars Q no gates. hagmen or automatic visible = signals. ~ . . 1 crossing bell affords but slight protec = tion. There have recently been deviset V approved types of automatic visible sig V nsls, such as the banjo signal, the Mor 1. rison sish light signal, and others 0 S like character. which are giving yer h good satisfaction. warning the ordinsr
 fly careful automobile driver of the ap s proach of trains in ample time to stoi l. before getting into the tracks. Thes e types of warning signals are especiall e efficacious at main track crossing ,I wrere there are no switching tracks an k where no switching Is involved. l. This commission has made a care '. ful survey of all the grade crossings ! 0 the state. and after a conference wit
 the state highway commissioner, we UT r. gently recommend the early instaIlztio IS of approved automatic visible signals, . Il of automatic visible ana audible signoll l. as may be determined by tht cormis l. sion in each individual case. at eightee d crossings. as per list herewith enclosed m "The installation of automatic, signal n at the several crossings assigned woul ID represent an Initial expenditure of ies !. than the average cost of a single ehn P nation. and would afford fair measur te of protection to a number of crossins e. where there are at present only fl .e standard crossing signs. -.... ~ "The elimination of grade crossings n the only way of completely elininattr e. the danger. and we deprecate the nece iu sity of foregoing the statutory recuir
 rdents. and believe that some efto
 should be made along this line
 therefore recommend that lnmedia ed steps be taken to eliminate at least oi
 of the more dangerous crossings. e. You will please advise the con1rnl A sion as to the attitude of the corpsr t. on the recomm endations herein state, k: first. as to the installation of autoniat ng visible and audible signals at the eros en ings mentioned. and second. as to q ,y. elimination of one or more Of the to t crossings described. and oblige." an. Following Is a partial list of hig sw way crossings in the state which. In | .s: opinion of the commission should be pr k: tected by the highest type of autorna' IT, visible audible signals: -. m New Haven to willimzntic crossi ,o- is.4s miles from New Haven and crp. CIV ing 221o miles from New Haven CM ti- plewood crossing.) -
 e. Hartford to willimsntic- Colurt Ick crossing 1.5s miles from -Wiflirusnti i'm Norwich 10 Worcester. chrrch str' H. crossing 1898 miles from Groton. de willimsntic to oneco. Baltic roi H l7.ss miles from Providence Cant lde bury road. Plainhsld. 35.o2 miles fl,
 Providence. and Devils Den erossil lb- 2s.57 miles from Providence
 or Norwich and Worcester line. Wils' H vile. south end of station. s..sl mi rrv from Groton North Grosvenordsie 5 WI south of station. 5o.51 miles from. e
 ton; and AttaFaugsu. frst north Of tr eIl. ley station. l1.4s miles from Groto md