The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-24
URGE VIADUCTS To.
CARE FOR TRAFFIC
Of FUTURE YEARS
Cooperation of City and Rail-
roads Held Prime Need at
Meeting of Citizens and
Commission

yiaducts which VIII meet the re-
quirements of the city for many
years to come, and the employment
of an expert of national reputation
on grade crossings or railroad en-
.gineers of the various railroads en-
tering the city, were thoroughly dis
cussed at the conference held Fri
day morning between city commits
city.
1t was pointed out by members
Of the committee that the problem
should be SO attacked as to avoid mis-
takes in the plans which later might
prove costly to both city and rail
roads. With the employment of an
engineer this danger would be climb
mated.
The plans for the vIaducts of the
city will be first taken on the south
side, with proposed viaducts to be
erected on Twentieth and under
passes west of Twentieth, also with
a viaduct over the Frisco tracks
at Ninth avenue, north, to connect
that section with the city proper. I'm
mediate need of a viaduct was urged
by Mr.. A. j. Hawkins, city engineer
east of Twenty first street, to care
for the traffic from the southside
east of Twenty-first street.
Strong Endorsement of plans fol-
the viaducts was voiced by the
citizens present, each realizing the
need of the preliminary plans as
worked out by the engineering de-
partment, but all were of the opin-
ion that it would be necessary to
have the cooperation of the rail
roads in the ultimate formulation OF
the plans. Mr.. Ben F. Moore stated
that the problem was one of the
greatest confronting the city at the
present time, and pointed out that
heavy traffic goes many blocks out
of the way rather than negotiate
heavy grade. George c. What
ley urged the immediate erection OF
one viaduct, possibly at Twenty
third street, and then the others
could come in order. He outlined
a program being worked out in At
lanta and stated the railroads had
co-operated with the municipality.
Joseph H. Loveman suggested tina
a covering be placed over the space
between the viaducts which could b.
used for the parking of automobiles
Victor H. Hanson stated that he be
lieved Birmingham would grow to ;
population of at least one millioi
people and asked that the commits
sioners plan viaducts that would car
for the needs of the city for the mex
so years.
Mr.. McLendon stated that the city
engineering department has alread,
worked up some of the details which
contemplate the erection of a viaduc
east of TWENTY street and rails
ing the railroad tracks from abou
Twenty third street, west, and con
struction of underpasses beginning a
Twentieth street and thence west a
all crossings. He also informed TIL
citizens that conference had beef
held with representatives of the va
rfous railroads, in which the Frisc
officials agreed to the removal o
the tracks. with the exception of tn
main track and two team tracks, a
Ninth avenue, north, during TIL
present year, and the removal of tn
freight houses during 1924. This will
allow for the opening of Twentieth
street to the north section of the cit,
and the erection of either viaduc
or an underpass at this street.
A. j. Hawkins, city engineer, out
lined the scheme for the viaduct
from Twenty first street, east, an
unedpasses from Twentieth stree
west, stating that the plan wa
worked out by Mr.. Kirkpatrick an
had been accepted by Mr.. Julian Ken
drick former city engineer, and b,
himself. He stated that estimates TO
the work would consume much time
but 1T was expected that 1T woul
cost approximately 100000.