by Laurel | January 28th, 2013
Solving a safety issue or possible business advantage?
21 January 1906
Map of Locality Where Proposed Underpass is to be Built.
The plan to construct an underpass connecting Canal Street in Ward 2 with Canal Street in Ward 1 came before the Board of Aldermen this week in the shape of an order introduced by Alderman Donald O’Leary for the appointment of a committee of three to investigate and report to the board. As will be seen by the map above, the distance between the two ends of Canal street is not far. Originally it is said by the old settlers, the street ran across the track, but with the increasing railroad business it was deemed best to stop travel and the street was closed up It is rumored that the Holyoke Water-Power Company and the Boston and Maine Railroad have some agreement relative to its opening by which each shall bear some part of the expense. If this be so with the city as a third party the cost to each would not be so great as to be burdensome. It is roughly estimated by the engineers that $30,000 would do the work. The grade is said to be such that 12 feet of head room can be given without lowering the roadbed below the canal water level. As things are now hundreds, even thousands, are forced practically to cross these tracks to and from their daily work in the mills. How the mills that employ many people are situated is partly shown by this map; but there are others not shown whose employees are equally handicapped. The matter is worth careful investigation, and without a doubt will receive it from the mayor and the officials concerned.
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
