McAlpine, William J.

“ The results of the construction and operation of the Underground Railways of London, have demonstrated not only the feasibility of the New York Arcade Railway, hut have also shown that the apprehensions sometimes expressed, that adjacent private property would be injured and the traffic of the street partly inconvenienced, are wholly without foundation in fact. ”

“ The immense loss and annoyance through this obstruction is greatly aggrevated by the street being constantly torn up in connection with sewer, gas, water, steam heating and other pipes. The surface and elevated railways offer inconvenient and insufficient accommodation to passengers between that portion of the city devoted to business and that occupied by residences, yet they are crowded to their utmost capacity, because nothing better is afforded. ”

“ Since the opening of the Elevated Railways the increase of travel has been more than all the passengers they carry, showing that the travel in this direction will increase up to the extent of the accommodation which is offered.
The Arcade otters in all respect the most effectual remedy and relief the ingenuity of man can contrive. It duplicates the street; it oilers the most complete accommodation for way and through travel ”

“ On the New York Arcade the way tracks will be 18 feet distant from the face of the buildings, which space will be vaulted so that the trains in motion cannot possibly produce vibration or jar to the buildings. ”

“ Convenient access to and from the bridges will be provided, and the work on the railway will be carried on under the bridge, without using the street, either in the removal of excavations or in bringing materials to construct the road; the completed Arcade being ample for these uses, and affording abundant store-room for all the purposes of construction. ”

“ These engines draw a train of 44 tons weight over a street Railway with much sharp curvature and high grades, at an average speed of 10 to 15 miles an hour. [3] The steam is exhausted into the open air, but on the Mekarski Railway in Lille it is condensed as on the locomotives of the London railways. ”

“ The Railway passes within 10 feet of a row of large cut stone buildings in Cannon street, and as excavations therefor were dug to a level 15 feet below their foundations, with the precautions taken no injury has been done to them. It also passes flush with the tower of St. Mary's (White Chapel) Church in Aldgate street, and the Railway excavations were made 8 feet below the level of its foundation. No injury whatever has been done to the tower or church. ”