G.T.R. betterments, construction, etc.

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Track elevation at Chicago.—The work of separating the grades of the G.T. Western Ry., 49th St. line, between Kedzie Ave. and Wallace St., Chicago, was begun on April 15, 190G, and is still in progress. The operation covered the elevating of three miles of double track main line, including the Aberdeen St. yard and also the Indiana Harbor Ry. double tracks, which are parallel with the G.T.W. Ry. tracks. Twenty-four grade crossings have been eliminated, and also the grade crossings with the Calumet Terminal and the Pennsylvania Ry., which may probably be restored when these roads decide on track elevation. The tracks were raised an average of 15 ft., giving an overhead clearance of 12 ft on 20 of the streets, the remaining four streets on which the Chicago City Ry. operates require an overhead clearance of 13 5 ft., which was maintained by lowering these streets 1.5 ft. It was found to be more economical to elevate the tracks the full height, rather than depress all the streets. The filling for the work, which necessitated moving 550,000 cubic yards of material, was procured at Oak Glen, on the G.T.W. Ry., and handled by the company's equipment to Chicago, a distance of 20 miles. The method adopted for doing the filling, was to first elevate the south G.T. track to grade, on a temporary pile trestle, building the trestle over the streets sufficiently strong to carry traffic, but between the streets the trestle was simply made heavy enough to carry the empty cars. The trestle was then filled in between the streets, and all the timber used was removed, except the piles; the filling was unloaded in the usual way, by means of plows and unloaders. While the work of elevating the first track was in progress, the regular traffic was operating over the Indiana Harbor Ry. tracks. After the first track was completed, the remaining tracks were built by widening out the embankment and building pile bridges over the streets. The work of grading was completed practically on Oct. 1, over 500,000 yds. of material having been put in place by that date. Concrete abutments and retaining walls to the extent of 25,000 cubic yards will be required, of which 16,000 cubic yards is already constructed, and it was expected to have all concrete work completed Dec. 31. The steel bridges for the street crossings are being constructed, and are expected to be in place in the early part of 1907. As stated previously, the work was commenced April 15. Trains were using the high grade line Aug. 5, and grading for all the tracks was completed Oct. 1. The completed work for both the G.T.W. Ry and the Indiana Harbor Ry. will cost, when completed, in the neighborhood of $1,000,000, not including the proportion borne by the city of Chicago, which amount will include abuttal damages.

Railways: G.T.W.Rd.

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