Page:New York arcade railway as projected .. (McAlpine, William Jarvis, 1884).djvu/5

5 PLAN FOR BUILDING THE ARCADE, WITHOUT INTERRUPTION TO TRAVEL.

The work on the Arcade will be commenced by placing along the line of the roadway two iron bridges, of from 500 to 1000 feet in length, and each 18 feet wide in the clear, and along the line of sidewalks corresponding bridges, each about 12 feet wide. These bridges to be supported at intermediate points.

The floor of these bridges will be elevated four feet above the grade of the street, and the difference in elevation overcome by a gentle ascent at each end.

The skeleton frame trusses will form but slight obstruction to the view, and permit pedestrians to cross the streets at all places.

The panels are made separate and" bolted together, and may be taken down from one end and added to the other with facility.

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.

The street in front of an ordinary building would be occupied by the bridges and workmen about one month, and during this time (by the plan proposed) the occupants of the building would suffer but little inconvenience, and the street travel little, if any, obstruction.