Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-01-28
1882 %
S7.Si7
5,7i2.2 IS

In making the above estimates, have data before
on which can rey-hut little is lett to conjecture
The entire grading aud the principal bridges being
under nlract Of course, those items sufficiently
certaned Even they not as they are, common to
both roads they would affect the results. For the
pairs OF the Macadamzed road have referred to the
ports of the Valley Turnpike Company for the years
1876 and Z and find hat hey average $50 per mile
Fifty doll per mile is, therefore, liberal allowance for
one track. For the of the Plank road have taken
Mr.. Prevoss esmae-and allowing that the timber
woud require removal only IN len gears. is equiv
alen to an annual expenditure of $50 per mile.
1t will thus he thai whilst would require only 50
3ll4i to make the MlcadaniseJ road profitable it would
take nearly 80 per cent more or S3 5S22S make the
plank No one, al all cnnvesant with this section
of hecouniry believe that this additional trade would
be attracted by any superiority of the Plank road.
The repairs Of properly constructed Macada mixed
road constantly decreasing If but little travel
comes upon it, although may to be profitable, the
road still remains convenience to the country forever
If lint little travel the Plank road il to
be profitable and its natural decay in the limited space
l from to 10 years. will render 1t not only useless. but
=. uisance. What indeed could he greater nuisance,
than plank rad in state of decay and lis propreors
unable unwilling to renew it The cost of repair
must increase runslautly-the enormous consumption
of timber it would periodically require. when added to
the extravaganza calls already made upon the forests
this section Of the State for fencing, fuel and tobacco
must the material to become daily more remote
and enhanced in vade.
| am by opposed to Plank roads, but | think
that there hut few sections Of This State where, II
rock could be had ,chin tlro miles of the line their con-
struction would be ustfabe. Most certainly ncrer in
the limestone Valley of Virginia. | regard it spe
ces OF improvement between Macadamlzed road and
n Railroad, which would answer admirably for short dis
tances, where heavy tonnage travel could be
ted, which otherwise might be diverted and in places
where speed and comfort are the main requirements -
But for lorg road in thnly settled country, unless
heavy trader gulre nieed at each end they
answer From Lynchbnrg to Campbell and to Amherst
Court Houses, and also TO Liberty if were CONSUL
ted, would recommend Plank roads believe that
they would be more profitable than any other kind be-
cause they would defy the competition Of the "Stock
holders" such as the Forest road, &c." which now
Withdraw heavy travel from them They are always
near 10 town, profitable because tie travel can there
concentrate upon them. Between Siaun'on and SCOTS
vile, the improvement is by far the ndci,us for
two reasons. because stone is remote render Mac
adamZng vastly more expensive and because that road
is put for the purpose of competing with the best road
IN the State the Valley Turnpike, and if it can succeed
IN dung this it will command trade and travel such
as no road OF the length in This can command
amongst other articles perhaps, 1907 00 bbls flour per
annum. Such road cannot fail TO be successful
ea"k ROADS having been profitable in New York, is no
evidence that they should generally prove 50 here,
ieista present We must not forget how much of
Iaggard Virginia has been, and in attempting to catch
up let US he careful that we do not stumble New York
commenced years and Yeas ago she commenced with
ot lurnpikes, and has lie, her Improvements keep
pace win her population, her wealth, and her produc
'Gns Gradually and judciusly, she has conducted her
ana''s nniil now she possesses the TO effect any
oJec' however gigantic, and energy, enterprise and
'c''S 10 esnre lis sneeeSsrivers canals, railroads and
wa p"es' lie there side Is side, aud all successful