C.P.R. betterments, construction, etc.

Ottawa Connecting Line.—The Co. is evidently in earnest in regard to the proposal to secure a direct connection between its main transcontinental line at Ottawa & the Montréal-Ottawa short line. It is proposed to improve the grades between Carleton Jct. & Ottawa, the object being to handle the large increase in traffic from the Northwest passing through Ottawa to Montréal by the M. & O. line. By forming a connection the already over-burdened line between Smith's Falls & Vaudreuil will be relieved. Practically the whole right of way from the Co.'s Sussex St. station to the Ottawa central station has been secured. C.P.R. officials were induced to acquire this independent right of way through the failure of negotiations with the Canada Atlantic for the use of that Co.'s line between the Central station & the C.P.R. track, near Mechanicsville. At all events options were secured upon property lying between the Montréal & Ottawa right of way near the Rideau & the canal, opposite the mouth of Patterson's Creek, along the north side of the creek to Bank St., thence westward to Concession, Bell & Preston streets, near the point of the C.A. crossing of the C. P.R.'s Prescott line. Then, these options maturing, the C.P.R. people decided to purchase rather than forfeit the amounts of the options. The C.P.R. is now in a position to construct the link without expropriation. The right of way secured would carry the C.P.R. track across the city, about 100 yards south of the C. A. line, necessitating a second level crossing on Bank St. This the City Council wants to avoid, & the members are trying to get the two companies to agree to a joint use of the C. A. tracks as above mentioned, or else to get the C.P.R. to build immediately alongside the C.A. Manager Tait says the C.P.R. offered to pay the C.A. one-half interest on the original cost of the line, & a wheelage percentage on the cost of maintenance. (Nov., Pg. 324.)

Railways: C.A.Ry., C.P.Ry.

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