The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-07-13
Progress of State Road Work.

Various eauses have prevented the com.
mencement of as many new road contracts this
year as had been begun at corresponding
date last year. one of the principal causes be-
ing the lack of properly equipped contractors,
not at present busy.
The Highway Division of the Maryland
Geological Survey has been actively engaged
in making surveys and preparing plans aud
estimates for contemplated road improve
ments all over the State, and in supervising a
large amount of road improvements now un
der way. The following stretches OF road are
now under construction or are nearing com
pletion: Allegany county, three miles; Baiu-
more county, seven miles; Carroll county. one
and one-half miles; Frederick county, three
miles; Hartford county, SIX miles; Howard
county, one mile; Montgomery county, i've
and one. half miles; Washington county, two
miles; Worcester county, one miei total OF
thirty miles.
Exclusive of the Baltimore Washington
highway, surveys have already been made this
year on about forty miles Of road, in response
10 applications from 20 of the % counties in
the State, and detailed plands and estimates
have been furnished on about 20 miles In
addition, surveys, plans and estimates. have
been made on about 10 miles between Contee
and Waterloo, Of the Baltimore Washington
Road.
Bids are now being asked for the construc
ton of this road, according to the plans on
file in the Office of the Commission. From
these ulaus il is seen that the work planned
for this sumner. and for which the appropri-
alton of $50, 600 for 1906 is available, consists
OF reducing present grades, where there are
over six per cent TO q maximum OF six feet
in hundred; of replacing all bridges and
culverts not IN good condition, with modern
permanent structures, and the addition oil
sach further culverts and bridges as may be
found necessary; of widening the travelled
way at least a feet in its narrOwest part; aud
of the construction of modern 6ater-ught
stone surface Of crushed trap (Niggerheadl
rock, carefully spread and thoroughly rolled,
making a smooth. even surface and compar-
able with the best results in other states.
1t Is estimated that because Of the unusual
difficulties in these first ten miles, such for
example, as the necessity, in order TO secure
permanent roadway, of making heavy nil
from the bridge just north OF Laurel to the
town, and the installation in this fill Of a good
size concrete calvert, that the average cost OF
this work will be approximately s. 900 per
mile. Ieis hoped, however, that by the use
of the eonyicts at the House of Correction, AS
provided for by the Act, to be able 10 keep
the cash expenditure below these Ggures. If
future developments offer any opportunity for
reducing the cost still further, the CommIs-
sion will, OF course, not be slow to take ad-
vantage Of them
Its expected that the successful bidders
will push the work as rapidly as possible, 10
order that as long section as possible, will
be finished this year.
The roads built under State supervision, up
to this time, have apparently given the great
est satisfaction. Places where two winters
ago, an empty Dayton wagon was stalled,
and which were improved under the shoe
maker Law last year, have successfully with
stood even the heaviest hauling through the
winter 1866, often. TO the great surprise of
the local residents.
Some criticism has Of course been made,
but il has invariably been proved TO be un-
founded, or simply criticisms of failure OF
work unaccepted by the State aud still in the
contractors hands, and, consequently, not
ready for the strains 10 which il was subjected
during the winter. Much Of the work in
1905 was begun so late, that the contractors
did not finish it before the arrival Of the win
ter season, and this unfinished work suffered
more or less through the winter. Not under
standing the situation, many were Inclined TO
eriticise the work of the State, rs whole,
from the results Of an inspection OF some un-
finished work.
II is hoped the experience OF the Contract
ors last year, will show them the advantages
Of keeping the work better in hand, and that
less unfinished work may hereafter be Jeff 10
go through the winter mouths.