Evening star., 1902-03-19
SUBURBAN ROADS.
A Property Owner Talks Of Their I'M
nrOvemenf

pEOVSm0nC.
'In recent drive around the environs
of the city noticed one or two local i'm
provements OF importance which are not
observable to those who remain within the
city proper all OF the time,' said a we'll
known property owner.
'The pavement of combined granite blocks
and asphalt, which was laid in November
1909. in the nature Of an experiment on the
Benning road, and which extends out to-
ward the Eastern branch for about two
thirds of mile. is still in fine condition
and has justified the belief Of the District
authorities that this kind Of street paving
Is we'll adapted to the different principal
roads leading from the country into the
city. as 1t has stood the test Of over two
years hard travel and Is intact.
This novel street pavement consists OF
q center strip Of asphalt of sufficient width
each side by several feet Of granite blocks
smoothly laid. This piece Of pavement was
put down at a cost OF only $1.O8 a square
yard. the total cost being $9.e4O. The dis
tinctive feature Of 1t is that the District
utilized the Belgium blocks taken up from
city streets. and this item of cost was
saved. The Benning road enters the city
at the conveyance of the Bladensburg road,
H street and Maryland avenue northeast.
The Commissioners are entitled to much
credit in their. efforts to improve the road
ways entering the city within the limits
OF the District. and 1T IS to be hoped that
no stop may be put to their plans If the
necessary money may be found available.
'"The recent Improvement Of the Bla-
densburg road Is as Of much Importance
as 1t Is marked and pleasing The new
pavement Of the Bladensburg road has a
length OF O.26 miles, and is Of asphalt ex-
clusiveiy. It was completed last August
and cost $1.7 per square yard. or a total
Of $40. TOO: or considerably more for much
less length than the Benning road. While
the pavement laid on the Benning road has
proved satisfactory. and 1t was at one time
the intention to use 1t on the Bladensburg
road. it was changed. largely upon the rep
owners and residents thereon. While 1t Is
expected that this type Of pavement, /
understand from official sources, will be
used in the future on main roads enter
ing the city where the travel Is heavy, as
on the Benning road. a special appropria-
ton Is understood to be necessary to COM
plete such highly desirable improvement.
"The question here presented Is Of much
local Importance and ought not to be slight
ed or overlooked. 1t is almost imperative
that the suburban arteries Of travel leading
into Washington should be improved upon.
and 1t Is a matter of regret that any ques-
ton of lack Of funds should be permitted
to stand as an obstacle to the accomplish
ment Of this object The two roads named
are fixed examples Of what may be done
for the District. The Bennfng road. how
the termination of the combined granite
block and asphalt pavement eastward to a
point we'll beyond Deanewood. SO that this
road for practically it's entire length In the
District may be said to be In fine condition.
ION a par with the Bladensburg road as
travelled street may be cited the extern
sion Of 7th street out through Brightwood
and to the end Of the District line just this
highway Is paved with granite blocks to its
intersection with the Columbia road near
the entrance to the Soldiers Home. 1t
was for several years in a most wretched
condition. 1t has recently been macadam-
lied from this point to the District line. to
the qualification Of those who 1t and
live along 1t.
Last summer many improvements were
made in the nature of macadamized roads In
the vicinity of Rock Creek bridge and Con-
nect'cut avenue extended. and the general
improved appearance of that vicinity over
former years Is remarkable. Hills have
been leveled, new streets and roads cut
through. and those leading into Rock Creek
Park leYeled and macadamized. Another
import ant artery Of travel leading into the
city is the Tenleytown road. which enters
by way Of 32d street, Georgetown. This
road Is paved with granite blocks to point
on the hill above the electric road power
house. and near the naval observatory. The
earth road extending beyond has been In
past years in very bad condition. and the
next great improvement in District road
building should be made there.
THE worst bit OF road In the city limits
is that which extends from 14th street
southwest, which Is paved with granite
blocks to point just south of the bureau
of engraving and printing. Beyond this
point. and extending to the Long bridge 1t
Is decidedly the toughest have ever ridden
over, being filled with hills and gulIies. The
wheels OF the heavy brick wagons which
come into the city daily by the hundred
grind this piece of roadway into bits. There
has been considerable agitation to effect
much needed betterment In this quarter.
but a satisfactory method does not appear
to have been agreed upon"