New Britain herald., 1928-01-26
RLAINv|LLE BALkS 0N CROSSING PLAN
Town Disa6ro6 With State Over
 East Street Relief
HEARING HELD AT CAPITOL
Highway Commissioner Macalo0ald's $, Plan Rejected and Substitute, Which Does Not Meet With His Approval Is Rendered to P. U. c.
Special 10 the Herald)

topecldl 10 the JeTalQ)
 Hartford, Jan. 26 After a lengthy discussion in which the pro- ponents Of the two submitted plans failed to reach an agreement, Chair man Richard T. Higgins this morn- ing continued until Monday morning, February 20, the hearing held befort the public utilities commission on the proposed elimination of the grade railroad crossing at East street, Piainviile. The interval is to be used for the study of the altcrna- tive plans and the preparing of esti- mates regarding that submitted by Engineer Joseph N. Mckernan for the town of Plainville, and it is like ly that another continuance will be necessary at that time. Chairman Higgins said. More than 50 interest cd persons were present at the ses- sion, the scene of which had to be transferred from the regular hear ing room to the chamber of the house of representatives.
 State Estimates Cost at S13S,17S
 Highway Commissioner John A. Macdonald presented the plan which had been prepared jointly by the state highway department and the New York. New Haven and Hart ford railroad. This proposal, he ex- plained, called for the building of a bridge across the tracks at East street and the raising of Pine street and Woodford avenue. along with the trolley tracks upon them by about 12 1-2 feet at the point where they cross East street. The estimated cost of the whole operation is $13S,- IFS, MT. Macdonald said, this being about s4,o00 more than the prelim- mary estimates totalled. The in- crease, he explained, was due to the substitution of concrete for a less expensive paving material.
 Mir. Macdonald stated that he had no evidence of serious accidents oc- curing at the crossing in question, but it was inquest ionably a danger ous spot and would be more 50 when the main highway was located along East street. Furthermore, the switching of trains in the freight yard frequently blocked automobile traffic, he said. The states plan would allow the East Main street crossing to be eliminated later, he said, perhaps by the simple ex- pedient of blocking it off and re- routing all traffic over East street.
 Lamb Expresses Disapproval
 "The plan as submitted is not the best" Chairman John E. Lamb of the Plainville town plan commits sion claimed in expressing the feel ines of his commission, especially after visualizing the conditions which would exist at the elevated highway and trolley crossing which would be created. Plainville is de- veloping in the east end, and it means considera ble to the town to see that Pine street, the proper avenue for boulevard to New Britain, is not blocked"
 The substitute plan of Engineer Mckernan, he ventured. would af- feet fewer property owners and would abolish two grade crossings at once. Serious accidents had oc- cured at the East street crossing, he continued, and many at the East Main street crossover had been nar- rowly averted.
 McKernan Files Plan
 Mir. Mckernan then filed the sub stitute plan submitted by the town of Plainville and calling for the elimination of both crossings ill favor of an elevated bridge carry ing across both railroad tracks and