USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1902 > Part 24
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When these two bridges are completed, the city and railroad company will no doubt make a satisfactory agreement for the construction of a new highway bridge at Lowell street, a most important cross-town street in the centre of the city.
Plans and estimates have been made for constructing a sub- way for foot passengers at the Thorndike street crossing at West Somerville, and when all details are agreed upon with the railroad company the time of completion will be short and the cost of con- struction comparatively small. This structure is to be eight feet wide and seven feet high (inside dimensions), with white enamel brick facing and granite steps at the entrances.
On the Fitchburg division of the Boston and Maine railroad a dangerous crossing exists at Somerville avenue, and its aboli- tion has been a matter of discussion for a number of years past.
1 308
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The expense to the city for changing this crossing, while large, is small when compared with the total cost and amount of work in- volved by the railroad companies.
The separation of grades would necessarily extend into the city of Cambridge, and involves the interests of two cities, two steam railroads, one electric railroad, and two large slaughter houses. Some feasible plan must first be agreed upon by the above parties, vitally interested; these two heavy traffic railroad companies, the Fitchburg division of the Boston and Maine rail- road and the Grand Junction division of the Boston and Albany railroad, must devise some plan of separating their railroad cross- ings as well as the cities of Somerville and Cambridge, their re- spective highway crossings ; also at the same time the crossing at Medford street would have to be changed, but the remaining street crossings on the Fitchburg division, seven in number, could be abolished independently of the Somerville avenue and Medford street work.
There are six grade crossings within the city limits on the Lexington and Arlington branch of the Boston and Maine rail- road system, but any contemplated change in grade would re- quire the co-operation of the city of Cambridge in the matter, as the abolition of these crossings necessitates a similar change in Cambridge ; no definite plan has as yet been adopted.
A new bridge is being constructed by the Metropolitan Park Commission over Mystic river, on the line of the Fells Boulevard and Middlesex avenue, the old bridge to be removed after the completion of the new work. The length of the new pile struc- ture on the Somerville side of the river will be some two hundred feet less than at present, owing to the change in the shore line, re- quested by our city, so that the mud flats now exposed at low tide may be filled to a proper grade and the banks of the river im- proved at this locality ; it will also give the city more taxable area and property. -
THE PROPOSED TOWER ON PROSPECT HILL PARK.
FI
--
LLKX
309
CITY ENGINEER.
Streets Accepted in 1902 Under the Betterment Act.
NAME OF STREET.
WARD.
FROM
To
Width in Feet.
Length in Feet.
Bedford
2
South st.
Cambridge line
30
165
Bowdoin
2
Fremont ave.
Lincoln park
40
94
Charles .
1
Washington st.
Southeasterly .
30
166
Dimick
2
Concord ave. .
Calvin st.
40
957
Fairlee
6
Cherry st.
Northwesterly .
30
144
Fenwick
5
Heath st. .
Jaques st.
40
261
Fountain ave.
1
Cross st. .
Glen st.
30
578
Henry ave.
6
Highland ave.
Lexington ave. .
40
290
Homer sq. .
3
Bonner ave. .
Northwesterly .
30+
200
Kensington ave.
4
Broadway
Blakeley ave.
40
455
*Line
2
Washington st.
Southeasterly
30
1,727
Marion
2
Wyatt st.
Northwesterly .
40
176
Munroe .
3
Boston st.
Near Walnut st.
50
1,214
Pembroke .
5
Central st.
Sycamore st.
40
430
Poplar
1
Linwood st.
.
Curtis st. .
40
2,000
Rogers ave.
6
Morrison ave. .
Boston ave. .
45
1,682
Stone ave. (Ext'n)
3
Columbus ave. .
Prospect Hill pk.
38
107
Veazie
4
Walnut st.
Bradley st.
35
392
Willoughby
5
Central st.
Sycamore st.
' 40
427
Wilton .
5
Lowell st.
Lawrence st.
35
470
+ Windham road
3
Washington st.
Columbus ave. .
40
279
Winter .
7
College ave.
Holland st.
30
402
Total
.
( 2.648 miles )
13,981
*Part in Somerville, part in Cambridge; the boundary line running approximately through the centre of the street.
t Name of street changed to Columbus avenue after acceptance.
Length of Accepted Streets in Each Ward.
Miles.
Ward One
8.899
Ward Two
7.623
Ward Three
6.531
Ward Four
8.228
Ward Five
10.453
Ward Six
10.698
Ward Seven
.
13.379
.
.
Maple
1
Poplar st.
Medford st. .
30
699
1 315
Professors row
7
College ave. .
{ Joy st.
§30
$ 351
Somerville ave.
§ Linwood st.
35
Total length of accepted streets in the city . 65.811
310
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Miles of Edgestone, Brick Sidewalk and Gravel Sidewalk in Each Ward.
Edge- stone.
Brick Sidewalk.
Gravel Sidewalk.
Ward One
15.080
11.532
3.548
Ward Two
10.193
3.940
6.253
Ward Three
12.740
11.159
1.581
Ward Four
12.258
8.307
3.951
Ward Five
14.113
9.274
4.839
Ward Six
17.787
9.034
8.753
Ward Seven
14.924
6.997
7.927
Total miles in the city
97.095
*60.243
36.852
*Includes 1.6 miles granolithic and tar concrete walk.
Table of Street Construction.
Miles.
*Streets paved with granite blocks
2.75
Streets paved with asphalt
.66
Streets paved with vitrified bricks square)
(Davis
.14
** Streets macadamized
60.19
Streets graveled
18.43
Streets unimproved
10.35
Total
92.52
*Also 29 miles (single track) electric railway, granite paved.
** Includes 2.84 miles boulevard.
Table Showing Sidewalks Constructed (not exceeding one-half cost assessed on abutters) and Paved Gutters Laid in Connection Therewith in 1902.
MATERIALS.
PAVED GUTTERS.
STREET.
WARD.
SIDE.
FROM
To
WIDTH OF SIDEWALK IN FEET.
Gravel and Edgestones. Lineal feet.
Bricks. Sq. Yards.
Sq. Yards.
Cost.
(1) Appleton .
7
Both .
Willow ave.
Clifton st. .
6.67
~
. .
665.9
$561 64
. .
Banks
Both .
Elm st.
Summer st.
6.67
. ....
897.6
746 10
Belmont
6
Northwesterly
Highland ave.
Estate of Howard
6.67
353.5
300 08
Burnside avenue
6
Northwesterly
Elm st.
Summer st.
6.67
491.7
419 42
..
Cedar
5 and 6
Northwesterly
Boston and Lowell R. R. .
Broadway .
6.67
2,248.7
1,791 08
749
$1,213 45
College ave. & Professors row
7
Westerly
Talbot ave.
Estate of Anthony
10.00
395.8
...
411 65
176
352 00
Columbia
2
Both .
Cambridge line .
6.67
1,604.4
...
1,189 78
535
732 83
Conwell
6
Both
Highland ave.
End of street
5.83
727.2
...
. .
604 60
283
437 25
(2) Curtis
7
Northwesterly
Broadway .
Summer st.
6.67
823.8
635 55
274
388 32
Fountain avenue
1
Both
Glen st.
Cross st.
5.00
1,137.3
856 33
379
429 45
Hammond
2
Both
Dickinson st.
Concord ave.
6.67
537.1
419 89
179
306 09
Hancock
6
Both
Summer st.
Highland ave.
6.67
936.9
684.8
1,446 28
312
482 86
Homer square
3
Both .
Bonner ave.
End of street
6.00
475.8
352 93
159
268 16
Jaques .
4
Northeasterly
Chauncey ave.
Temple st.
6.67
737.2
663 84
Jenny Lind avenue
5
Both .
Vernon st. .
Medford st.
7.00
1,812.4
1,267 70
604
683 93
Lesley avenue
6
Both .
Highland ave.
Lexington ave. .
6.67
685.1
556 42
22S
391 35
Lincoln .
1
Easterly
Broadway
Estate of Mills .
6.67
80.8
79 43
Madison
5
Southwesterly
School st. .
Sycamore st.
6.67
597.1
542 50
Marion .
2
Both .
Wyatt st.
Westerly end of street
6.67
347.3
276 14
116
252 40
Medford
5
Both (where not already set)
Tennyson st.
Lowell st. .
8.33
}
1,865.6
1,505 43
622
1,010 87
Medford
5
Northeasterly
Est. Kilmartin and Hughes
Broadway .
9.16
161.7
129 48
..
Medford
Southwesterly
Sycamore st.
Tennyson st.
8.33
193.1
164 03
Medford
5
Jenny Lind ave.
Partridge ave.
9.16
152.2
163 48
Monmouth
6
Central st.
End of public street .
6.67
178.3
293 05
54
89 45
Munroe .
3
Prospect Hill aye.
Estate of Wentworth
612.4
505 00
204
377 25
Myrtle
1
Both
Washington st.
Myrtle pl. and Myrtle ct. .
903.0
701 13
301
426 45
Myrtle
1
Both .
Myrtle pl. and Myrtle ct. .
Est's Hughes and Richardson
510.5
402 44
170
453 87
Oak
2
Both .
Angle
Cambridge line
5.00
1,057.1
827 40
352
522 82
Orchard
7
Russell st.
Estate of Smith
6.67
248.3
204 29
Park avenue .
7
College ave.
Wallace st.
6.67
318.3
312 29
Partridge avenue .
5
Medford st.
Broadway .
6.67
464.7
155
266 58
Powder House terrace
7
Both .
Kidder ave
Powder House park
6.67
695.7
563 20
232
341 44
Rogers avenue
6
Both .
Morrison ave.
Broadway .
7.50
3,408.3
2,539 50
1,136
1,549 80
South
2
Southerly
Medford st.
End of public street .
5.00
979.2
. .
755 53
.326
1,066 84
South
6
Both .
Cedar st. .
Hancock st.
6.67
1,515.3
. . .
2,597 15
1,101
1,475 76
Sycamore
5
Northwesterly
Highland ave.
Willoughby st.
5.83
547.1
399 27
213
187 69
Sycamore
5
Southeasterly
Estate of Parker
Montrose st.
5.83
328.1
295 02
128
264 20
Sydney .
4
Southwesterly
Grant st.
Temple st.
6.67
708.0
718 47
236
424 67
Webster avenue
12
Westerly
Prospect st.
Tremont st.
8.331
286.2
244 25
Willow avenue
6
Southeasterly
Morrison ave.
Broadway .
8.33
1,581.1
1,267 80
527
756 37
Willow avenue
6
Southeasterly
Morrison ave.
Boston & Lowell R. R.
8.33
153.6
114 31
51
67 74
Totals. ( Gravel sidewalk, 4.243 miles. Brick sidewalk, 2.405 miles. ) Amount of edgestone and brick sidewalk laid at intersecting streets and in front of private estates
33,882.6
6,191.8 345.7
$32,212 11
11,528 157
$17,023 64
6
Both
Cherry st. .
End of street
5.00
277.6
145.1
331 50
93
102 25
Gilman terrace
4
Both .
Pearl st.
End of street
6.67
717.0
.. .
542 28
239
301 32
Columbus avenue .
B
Both
Angle
Windham road .
6.67
183.1
....
141 25
61
126 92
Elston
Both
Elm st.
Opposite Professors row
6.67
1,325.8
1,107 24
508
452 7S
Fairlee .
J Southeasterly
Highland ave.
Boston & Lowell R. R.
. .
(1) Grass strip northeasterly side-not assessed.
(2) Includes 349.8 yards concrete gutter 119.0 ft. set previous to 1902.
Total assessment, $16,106.10.
Net cost to city, $16,106.01.
1,338.1
.....
1,140 86
505
S20 48
Summer
6 and 7
Both (where not already set)
Belmont st.
Cutter sq. .
7.50
3,192.9
. . . .
744 98
320
Northerly .
Medford st.
Water st. .
5.00
961.3
Spencer avenue
5
Northeasterly
N'E'ly(where not already set)
Northeasterly
10.00
6.67
6.67
7.67
Southwesterly
Southwesterly
North westerly
380 12
...
. .
163.4
9.00
9.16
.. .
.. .
Webster ave.
8.50±
TOTAL COST.
..
.
311
CITY ENGINEER.
SEWER DEPARTMENT.
Statement of Expenses, 1902, Sewers Construction Account.
Constructing "separate system" sewers (as- sessments levied) · Constructing "separate system" sewers (no assessments)
$3,629 46
19,877 95
Constructing sundry sewers as for petitioned
1,664 27
Constructing storm drains
1,857 83
Constructing chamber and tide gates, Mid- dlesex avenue (storm drain outlet) .
2,222 27
Constructing 64 catch basins, street drainage
3,296 44
Final payments on sewers constructed in 1901 .
3,771 74
Settlement of accident claims
505 00
Printing and car fares
26 97
Materials on hand December 31, 1902,- drain pipe, $477.54, manhole stock,
$100.00, lumber, $58.60, catch basin stock, $47.50
683 64
Total
$37,535 57
CREDIT.
Balance unexpended December 31, 1901
$10,748 17
Appropriation, 1902
25,000 00
Sewers constructed in 1902,
assessments
levied .
3,770 09
Estates entered into various sewers, assess- ments
112 53
Credits from other departments
77 39
Reserves on contracts, due in 1903
1,189 18
Materials on hand December 31, 1901
926 50
$41,823 86
Balance unexpended
$4,288 29
.
.
In the construction of sewers the past year a portion of the work has been done by the city, employing day labor, and the re- mainder by contractors ; day labor being employed on the diffi- cult work and where unknown obstacles were to be encountered.
The "separate system" sewers (those built for house drain- age only) have been extended during the past year in various streets in different sections of the city.
One of the main lines has been extended at the westerly end of Washington street to Beacon street and completed in Beacon . street, on the northeasterly side, as far as Sacramento street ; from this main line the laterals can be constructed as desired. This
-
312
ANNUAL REPORTS.
main structure was a pipe sewer of eighteen inches, fifteen inches and twelve inches in size, respectively, and the excavation for about two thousand feet in length and the entire depth was of a first quality sand and gravel, one section where the cut was eighteen feet deep being all gravel of the best quality, and a num- ber of the city departments were supplied with sand and gravel to the extent of about seven hundred cubic yards from this sewer trench excavation.
In the East Somerville district a beginning on the construc- tion of the "separate system" sewers has been made during the year, which will be extended in the future until the entire area, where the flooding of cellars now exists, has been completed ; the new system will be used for house drainage and the present sewers used as a storm drainage system.
One of the main lines has been constructed having as an out- let the "regulator chamber," which is connected with the Metro- politan sewer, at the junction of Waverly and Roland streets, near the Charlestown line; an eighteen-inch pipe sewer being laid in Waverly street, and a twelve-inch pipe sewer extending on the southerly side of Washington street, and the westerly side of Franklin street to Palmer avenue and westerly in Palmer avenue. This main can be extended when desired and intersecting streets and houses along the line connected.
"Separate system" sewers have been cominenced in the Pop- lar street and Linwood street district, a twelve-inch main being laid in Poplar street and eight-inch lateral sewers under the sidewalk on both sides of Linwood street ; each year as required the system can be extended in this district.
The past year a permanent storm drainage outlet for the eastern district of the city, which will eventually include over four hundred acres, has been constructed across the marsh land, owned by the Boston and Maine Railroad corporation, extending east- erly in the line of the old water course, from Middlesex avenue to Mystic river.
This work was done for our city by the railroad company at their expense, so that the entire area of low land and water course could be filled up to a sufficient grade for the company's use. The structure is six and one-half feet square, inside dimen- sions, built of heavy timbers supported by a pile foundation, and is over eleven hundred feet long, the outlet at the river being only temporary and to be extended about one hundred and fifty feet when the retaining wall is constructed along the newly estab- lished river front line ; at the Middlesex avenue end of the struc- ture the city has built a large tide gate chamber with automatic working tide gates, being the largest sewer gates in the city. The connecting part of this outlet between Middlesex avenue and Mystic avenue still remains to be built.
TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS AND DRAINS BUILT IN 1902.
LOCATION.
ITEMS OF CONSTRUCTION AND COST.
SEWER.
SUB-DRAIN.
PIPE SEWER, COST PER LINEAL FOOT.
NAME OF STREET.
FROM
To
CONTRACTOR.
MATERIAL EXCAVATED.
Average Cut.
Size in inches.
Length in feet.
Size in inches.
Length in feet.
Cubic yards Rock
Price per cubic
yard, Rock.
Manholes.
Excavating, Re- filling, and Pipe Laying.
Pipe, including
w here laid.
Inspection.
Miscellaneous.
Lumber.
lineal foot.
Total cost.
Assessment.
Cost to City.
Allen st. (storm drain)
Somerville ave.
Near Charlestown st.
Day labor
Sand
7.0
12
657.0
1
$1.12
$0.35
$0.17
$0.28
$1.93
$1,080.23
$1,080.23
*Beachı ave.
Columbia st.
Near Webster ave.
Day labor
Filling
7.5
€
186.9
$30.55
14
.50
.14
.03
$0.01
0.8
156.63
$60.00
96.63
"Beacon st. (northierly side)
Washington st.
Ivaloo st.
Timothy F. Crimmings
Clay, sand, and gravel
13.
15
1266.5
667
4.0
$1.50
52.75;
42
1.73
.15
Ivaloo st.
Kent st. .
Timothy F. Crimmings.
Gravel .
15.5
522.1
1.0
1.50
52.75
17
1,85
.45
.10
21
.14
2,83
7,115.39
7,115.89
Kent st.
Sacramento st.
Timothy F. Crimmings .
Sand and clay
9.4
723.9
280
1
62.75
1.58
.15
Beacon st.
Southwesterly
Day labor
Sand
8.2
8
127.8
-
29.08
.21
.18
.03
.01
.64
82,51
123.23
(storm drain)
Beacon st.
Soutlıwesterly
Day labor
Sand
6.7
101.8
260.0
5
262
57.60
1.32
.15
.29
03
.03
2.03
527.08
281.23
245.85
Broadway court, off
Broadway u'r Walnut st.
Westerly
Bartholomew Burke
Hardpan
5.6
10
273.2
33.75
29
.31
.27
01
.02
.74
200.79
200.64
.15
"Endicott ave.
End of old sewer
Southerly
Day labor
Hardpan
2.5
71.0
7.4
191.3
60.3
3.00
39,60
12
.30
.18
.03
.04
1.71
326.68
163.78
162.90
*Franklin st. (westerly side)
South side Wash'ton st.
Palmer ave.
Charles A. Kelley .
Clay and rock
10.6
529.7
31.0
4.00
50.75
1.11
.28
.12
.01
2.34
1,242.06
1,242.06
Across Palmer ave.
Day labor
Clay
6.8
8
14.6
* Harrison st.
Elmwood st. .
Southieasterly
Day labor
Sand
7.5
194.0
120
10
.96
.15
18
.14
.11
1.74
336.68
99.31
237.37
*Laurel st.
Somerville ave.
Park pl.
Day labor
Hardpan
6.1
239.2
27.68
.52
.17
13
.03
.96
230.23
230.23
·Linden st.
Somerville ave.
Near Charlestown st.
Day labor
Sand
7.8
598.3
5
40
41
.61
.15
.19
.12
.02
.09
1.10
660.00
660.00
Poplar st.
Near Washiington st.
William J. McCarthy
Clay and filling
9.1
8
710.3
2
32
,80
.06
.01
.19
"Linwood st. (east side)
Poplar st.
Near London st.
William J. McCarthy
Sand, clay, and filling
10.3
333.0
42.75
16
.80
1.42
3,469 17
3,469 17
Poplar st.
Near Washington st.
William J. McCarthy
Clay and filling
8.7
8
700.6
42.75
34
97
.17
.06
.02
.09
(west side)
Poplar st.
Near Somerville ave.
Williain J. McCarthy
Sand, clay, and filling
9.4
8
706.8
42.75
34
97
*Main st. ,
Fremont st.
Near Moreland st.
Day labor
Hardpan and rock
9.0
180.7
Chim-
11
.75
.19
.11
1.04
188.34
188.04
.30
*Marion st.
Connection with
" Separate System"
Day labor
Filling .
35.
29
.19
.11
.59
20.64
20.64
*Merriam st.
Somerville ave.
Near Charlestown st.
Day labor
Sand
499.0
225
2
27.74
.15
.19
16
.05
.21
1.59
791.55
791.55
Middlesex ave. (storm drain)
Line of Winthrop .
ave. extended
Day labor
Marsh mud
11x11
gate
cham
and
drain
ontlet.
2,222.27
2,222.27
Murray st. (storm drain)
Washington st.
Southerly
Day labor
Filling .
10
140.0
.51
.36
.02
.89
125.21
125.21
Packard ave.
boulevard
Day labor
Hardpan
8.6
15
73.0
2
1.09
.51
.09
.08
1.77
128.85
128.85
*Palmer ave. (north side)
Franklin st. .
Westerly
Day labor
Filling and clay
6.4
8
181.9
1
-
.19
.07
.03
1.18
214.04
214.04
Pearson ave.
Morrison ave,
Northerly
William J. McCarthy
Clay and filling
10.0
10 324.0
42.60
19
.75
92
.03
.02
1.03
671.76
668.56
3.20
End of above
Near Frederick ave
William J. McCarthy
7.5
327.0
28
1 1
42.60
.50
.15
15
23
.05
1,61
1,472.10
1,055.34
416.76
Warner st.
Near Broadway
Day labor
7.7
532.2
12
733.7
5
160
52.75
1.48
.15
.42
.13
.24
.04
2.63
1,928.74
1,928.74
Powder house blvd. (storm drain) Private lands
Middlesex ave.
Mystic river
Pile foundation
Marsh land
1108.0
Built
at
expense
and
Maine
road
Co.
.43
.18
.07
.02
.96
191.14
190,62
.52
Prospect hill parkway
Columbus ave.
Northeasterly
Day labor
3.0
10
262.0
1
29.90
.79
.25
.13
.03
1.3
343.72
343,72
"Tyler st. (north side)
Dane st.
Vine st. .
Day labor
Sand
6.3
8
410.8
28
.22
.11
.03
.05
208.82
155.69
53.13
*Washington st.
Hanson st.
Beacon st.
Day labor
Hardpan and sand
13.9
18
319.0
47.90
2.21
.35
15
.10
.06
3.02
962.80
982.80
Watson st.
In Broadway
Patrick Burke
7.5
8
42 0 )
54.7
2.40
38
.10
.0
.04
1.40
298.06
122.81
175.25
Broadway
Near Fairmount ave.
Patrick Burke
5.9
6
170,6)
*Waverly st. and
Reg. chamber Roland st.
Washington st.
Day labor
Filling and sand
9.3
18
215.9
5
200
with
Sewer.
1.17
.15
.51
.17
.10
.01
2.08
3,229.75
3,229.75
*Washington st. (soutlı side)
Waverly st. .
Franklin st.
Day labor
Filling and clay
11.6
15
1338.0
Wyatt st.
Near Taunton st.
Southerly
Filling .
5.8
10
12.0
Laid
private
party
Wyatt st. and .
End of above .
Wyatt circle
Nicholas Leonard .
Filling .
6.4
10
77.7
3
.32
.26
.05
.63 49,12
101.41
.24
*Wyatt circle
Wyatt st.
Westerly
Nicholas Leonard .
Hardpan
6.7
8
76.9
6
.20
.05
.13
.68
52.53
Total length and cost of new sewers and drains built in 1902
16,497.1 ( 3.12 miles. )
$28,943.11
$3,770.09
$25,173.02
5
.19
.18
.03
.40
40.72
*Boston ave.
Broadway
Ayer ave.
Charles A. Kelley .
Hardpan
12.4
30
1
13
.18
15
.03
.36
25.73
25.73
Fenwick st.
Jaques st.
Near Heath st.
Charles A. Kelley .
Hardpan and rock
8
12
34
1
.64
.19
.07
.03
.93
13.58
13.58
G
6
1
33,00
1
20
1
44.44
42.75
--
2
8 incli
ney.
5.2
8
8.6
5
Brick
14.0
24 0
Tide
bers
storm
*Pearson road
Sewer at Medford line.
Warner st.
Day labor
Sand, rock, and clay
9.8
10
384.0
384 )
159.3
3.50
4
27.97
43
.53
* Poplar st. (northeasterly side)
Somerville ave.
Joy st.
Timothy F. Crimmings
Patrick Burke
Hardpan
5.2
8
523.2
4.0
3.00
32.60
.30
.16
03
.01
.64
336.19
333.70
2.49
*Professors row (storm drain) .
Boston ave.
Near Bromfield road
Richard Falvey
Hardpan
8.7
198.5
3.5
4.50
1
37.75
of
Boston
Rail
11
1
33.75
16
Metro- politan
18 )
29.30
by
403,900.9 feet. 33,247.0 feet.
437,147.9 feet, or 82.79 miles. 22,881,1 feet, or 4.33 miles.
* Separate system sewers.
Total length of sewers built by the city, January 1, 1903 Total length of private sewers in the city, January 1, 1903 .
Total length of sewers in the city, January 1, 1903 Total length of storm drains in the city, January 1, 1903 Total length of the city drainage systems, January 1, 1903
87.12 miles.
Main
Sewer.
Sub-
drain
Sub-drain
Average Cost Manholes.
Inlets
1
4
2
15
12
28
*Beckwith circle
8
8
1
2
38
.79
-
Clay and filling
8
Sand, rock, and clay
Clay, filling, and sand
10.6
Packard ave. .
Near Curtis st.
21
Timber 6.5×6.5
Hardpan
Rock and hardpan .
4.6
Across Powder-house
31.34
.08
1
27
48
21.80
.51
1
Con'cts
1
1
.08
8
8
Excavation.
Average cost per
313
CITY ENGINEER.
Plans and estimates have been made in conjunction with the city of Cambridge and the towns of Arlington and Belmont, for the improvement of Alewife brook on the northwesterly border of the city, for the purpose of better drainage of the low lands along the banks of the brook and to relieve the stagnation caused by the flat grade and action of the tide water from Mystic river.
It is proposed to construct automatic working tide gates at the junction of the brook with the river and to straighten and widen the channel and dredge the brook to a uniform grade; the . total estimated cost for the entire work amounting to about $10,- 000.00, and the legislature will have to first pass an act author- izing the making of this improvement.
While the storm drainage of the easterly and northwesterly sections of the city can be easily taken care of by outlets into Mystic river and Alewife brook, it is a perplexing question to find a means of disposing of storm water for the largest water shed area in the city, on the southerly and southeasterly side ; there being no river or stream for an outlet, as the city borders on land of the city of Cambridge the entire distance.
At present there is but one outlet for storm water for this large area, extending for a half-mile through the city of Cam- bridge, finally discharging into Charles river, near Craigie bridge, and being of very little value to Somerville, the capacity of this drain being far too small.
A partial relief could be obtained by constructing a short and quick outlet into the head of Miller's river, at the East Cambridge line, extending easterly from Somerville avenue under the southern division of the Boston & Maine railroad to this tide water outlet. This proposed outlet would be of great benefit to the immediate section, now badly flooded in times of storms, and would save a large amount of private property now continuously flooded. Application has been made to the legislature for authority to construct this outlet, but as yet the city has been un- successful in obtaining permission.
Summary of Work. Sewers have been constructed as peti- tioned for in different sections of the city and portions of the cost as'sessed on estates benefited amounting to $3,770.09. Two "sep- arate system" sewer mains have been connected directly with the Metropolitan sewer.
Thirty-one sewers have been constructed during the year, a total length of 14,304.3 feet (2.71 miles) and six storm water drains, a length of 2,192.8 feet (0.42 mile). (See table of sewers.)
Total length of sewers in the city, 82.79 miles (16.88 miles being on the "separate system"), and the total length of storm drains 4.33 miles.
314
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The entire length of the city's drainage system is over eighty-seven miles and the cost of construction has been about $1,105,943.00.
Sixty-four new catch basins have been constructed during the year, at an average cost of $51.51 per basin, making a total of 1,228 catch basins in the city for street drainage purposes.
The city's assessment for the Metropolitan system for the vear was $29,919.09 on construction and $15,241.16 for mainte- nance. In the City Engineer's report for 1901 tables are given showing the total number of the city's connections with the Met- ropolitan Sewerage system and the total amounts paid the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts for construction and maintenance of the North Metropolitan Sewerage system; and a table showing the length and cost of the "separate system" sewers built in Som- erville and connected with this Metropolitan system.
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