Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1919 — GOOD ROADS 1919 PROGRAM [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GOOD ROADS 1919 PROGRAM

Michigan Starting on Greatest Era of Highway Construction In History of Michigan is going to start on the greatest era of road building in the state’s history, declares Edward N. Hines, first vice president of the Detroit Automobile club. Mr. Hines adds that Michigan highway constructors have seen the folly of their ways in building roads too narrow and of types not permanent. They will correct this in the future. Every citizen, including the farmer, business man, laboring man and the resident of the small town, sees the need of permanent highways, the case being proven to them by wartime conditions, according to Mr. Hines. This was brought about by the inadequate freight and express service, the food situation and the general need to conserve labor wherever feasible. “Had the war continued,” Mr. Hines stated, “I had records of projects for building of concrete roads in the state that likely would have been put through by the proper authorities in Washington because of their war necessity, there being some 656,000 square yards. Other projects for concrete roads in Michigan financed by the Covert act whose issues were sold and the money not expended during the past season, and direct tax levies amounted to 1,347,909 square yards, a total for the state of clase to 2,000,000 square yards. All of this will be built in 1919 and in all probability this yardage will be doubled by the time the road construction work begins In the spring. “Wayne county’s concrete roads have, stood the test since the United States entered the world conflict The normal traffic, plus the enormous war haulage by army trucks over concrete roads seven, eight, nine and ten years old, was handled satisfactorily and the highways held up in perfect condition. Eyes of the road builders throughout the country have been focused on Wayne county’s roads and the practical demonstration of the value of permanent roads has been proven here in the vicinity of Detroit. “Wayne, leader among the counties of Michigan in mileage of improved roads, asked for no county road tax this year and will have to rely on the money received from automobile licenses. Consequently 1919 will not approximate previous years’ programs because of lack of funds to push the work to the limit. We expect to get more for a dollar 'n 1919, though, as

the labor turnover will not be as great and material prices will have a tendency not to incline towards higher levels. “Among the projects which will be carried out next year are the following: One-half mile section In the village of Wayne, from Michigan avenue on the Wayne road south, connecting with the. Huron River drive. This road will be of concrete, 20 feet wide. Belle-ville-Romulus branch of the Huron River drive and Outer Belt drive is to be finished. Delivery of stock on this job has already been started and will be kept up as long as good weather continues. Warren road, which will be concreted to the Washtenaw county line in time, is to be taken care of by another, road crew. This work will go on until the 1919 funds are exhausted. The Lahser road, from Redford north to the Oakland line, connecting with the good road in Oakland county, will also be completed. “We will pay considerable attention to widening some of the main routes and will maintain ail the previously built roads in a first-class condition.”

Neglect of Maintaining Roads Is Not Only Tying Up Transportation and Handicapping industry, but Is Costing United States Many Millions of Unnecessary Expense.