The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1903-01-12
HARMONY
A SURPRISE
Eudson's Action in Join ng|
Essex for Plank Roal I'm
provement Causes
Wonder.
THIS CoUHTY's oBJEoT
If the Thosoughfare Is Put In
FIRST Glass Condition Mo-
ney For R pairs Will
Be Saved.
THIS COUHTY'S OBJECT

The most surprising feature Of Thurs
day nights conference between the mem-
bers Of Hudson and Esscxs bridge cafE-
mittees was the harmony that prevailed
and the ready acquiescenee Of the IIu1 &
son Freeiolders in the plan proposed by
their neighbors from across the PassaisA
to have the Newark Plank Road ilnz
proved. If possible, under the State road
act.
So harmonious in fact was the gather
ing that the Hudson conferees did not
even wait for their Essex brethrea 10
offer the suggestion of a new bridge over
the Haekensack-which the latter de-
sire-but the proposition to obtain legis-
lation for this purpose, if necessary.
came from Hudson's counsel, who hin-.
self drew up the resolution which was
adopted, requesting County Engineer
Owens of Essex to prepare preliminar,
plans and estimates for the work. County
Counsel Mum of Essex, in conjunotioni
with Mr.. Griffin, will draft the necessary
legislative bills.
The fact that the mater of the proba-.
bic cost to this county was not even
touched on at the conference was a sur
prise to those who remembered the long
fight made by the preceding Hudson
board against the acceptance of the road
on the grounds that the people of this
county did not want it.
County Counsel Griffin in discussing
the proposed Improvement said :--That
the road needs to be entirely reconstruct
ed is obvious to everyone at all aeanaint-
ed with existing conditions. Hudson has
been obliged to assume share of the
cost Of maintenance and her representa-
'ffves appreciate that it would be Il saving
of money tosp put the road in proper re-
pair and stop the endless drain Of keep
ing in repair a plank roadway totally I'M
suited for the heavy traffic that josses
over it.
THE PRESENT INTENTION.
''The intention now is to have the
needed bills introduced on the opening
day of the Legislature and then have
the legislative committees of both ceun-
ties work to get them through as speed
ily as possible. In this they will have
the support Of the twenty-three Assem-
blymen from the two counties. 1t is
hoped that the necessary legislation can
be obtained and e contracts undeg the
same awarded SO that work can be be-
gun by March l.
In this way it is thought that the i'm
proyement of the road can be completed
and the same reopened to traffic. before
next winter
Owing to the immense traffic that will
revert TO the Newark Turnpike because
of the closing of the Plank Road the
greatest haste is necessary. That road
is now in a fairly good condition, but no
macadam could stand fer any great
length of time the heavy traffic to which
it will necessarily be subjected and the
desire is to have the Plank road improve
ment pushed with the utmost rapidity, so
that the Turnpike will not be ruined.''
MIR. GRIFFIN,S VIEWS.
Counselor Griffin said it seemed to be.
the general understanding that the Plank
road, owing to its present narrow width,
could not be continued open while the
Improvement was in progress.
There was some tayk about removing
the trolley rails to the centre OF the road
but many thought that the present foun-
dations on which the rails rested acted
as a good binder for the rest Of the road.
Hudson's counsel seemed very san
guine that the necessary Legislature could
be obtained without any great difficulty
and that the programme as outlined
could be carried cut and the Plank Road
widened and improved, reopened to traffic
before next winter.