1923 Planning Board Report-Streets Near Norwood Railroad Station

In the course of the general program of the state for the abolishment of railway grade crossings, the present dangerous crossing at Railroad Avenue will be abolished. This work should be undertaken, however, not only with an eye to the safety of persons crossing the tracks, but with consideration of adequate communication across the Town. Railroad Avenue and Market Street extensions should be connected and at the same time a direct line should be arranged toward the southeast crossing Adams Street. The accompanying plan indicates a satisfactory method of solving the local grade crossing problem in conjunction with the improvement of the main thoroughfare scheme of the Town. The extension of these thoroughfares is in conformity with the general program for east-west through streets, described in this report. A small park is suggested in the triangle between Market Street extension and Adams Street in order to use to the best advantage this space which is small for building purposes.

Many towns which are grappling with grade crossing problems of this kind are confronted with embarrassing- topographical difficulties. Extensive filling or excavating operations are often involved to secure proper approaches to overhead or to underground crossings. Oftentimes long detours are required to obtain satisfactory gradients and to avoid conflict with factories, dwellings, or other structures. Frequently these crossings involve undesirable curves or jogs in the new roadways. Wholesale changes in the level of local streets are often involved in adjusting the desired improvement to the existing neighborhood. Norwood is fortunate in escaping all these contingent obstacles. The rising contour of the ground on both sides of the railroad assists the construction of approaches with a minimum amount of earth work and masonry construction, consequently long detours to secure good gradients are not required. The railroad tracks can be crossed at right angles without objectionable curves or jogs. Head room for the railroad can be secured without disturbing the present road bed. No buildings of a prominent kind stand in the course of the new roadway and there is, therefore, opportunity to use side slopes of earth for the embankments and obviate the use of expensive retaining walls. The disturbance of local streets is not involved. No taxable property need be destroyed in order to carry out the work of improvement. Thus far few accidents have occurred at this point of danger. It is to be hoped in the interest of public safety, and for the satisfactory upbuilding of the district across the tracks, that the grade crossing can be eliminated at an early day.