27
ing $800,000, 3 viaducts aggregating 1,092 feet in length and
costing $431,784 and a heavy expenditure on special earth work. 1
have unfortunately not been able to see the plan showing this pro-
posal but from an examination of the ground and of the contoured
map, it would seem that one low level tunnel 1 1/2 mile in length,
at the place where the 100 feet contours on either side of the
hills approach nearest each other, costing at $500 a lineal yard
$1,320,000 in all, would be found more economical in construction
and much more so in running.
6.
From the imperfect data available, I believe that
that the East route with a low level tunnel is to be preferred from
the point of view of economy of construction, and in this view kr.
P. N. H. Jones, Acting Director of Public Works, who has been over
some of the ground with me, concurs.
7.
11. COST OF RUNNING AND MAINTENANCE.
The running expenses for a line by the East route
by a low level tunnel which would avoid steep gradients would,
exclusive of the expenses of general administration, be about two-
thirds of the running expenses for a line by the West route.
tunnel The maintenance expenses would if the was, as
anticipated, largely through hard rock probably be in a still lower
proportion.
8.
9.
lli. TIME REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION.
A
The time taken to construct would undoubtedly be
considerably longer if the East route is adopted, especially with
the low level tunnel, as the completion of viaducts and bridges and
all plate laying beyond would have to await the laying of the rails
through the tunnel and progress on the tunnel is naturally limited
by the apparatus that can be got to work on either face of it.
10.