The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-12-09
MERIDIAN ROAD HAS
CONNECTED TWO
HIGHWAYS
Santa Fe Trail and Pembina
Trail Joined-A Big
Undertaking

Great highways Of the early days,
interesting because Of the place which
they held in the first settlements of
the west, will be united by the Meridi-
an Road, that highway which will ex-
tend from the Gull. of Mexico to the
city of Winnipeg; the highway which
will be the longest continuous road
on the continent, and which will pro-
vide a direct north and south route
Tor autoists in a asst district. 1t is
especially for the autoist that this
great road has been planned.
Over 1900 miles in length. calling
Tor the cooperation of six states and
one Canadian province, the complete
route has been laid Out. The last links
In the highway were decided upon on.
~ recently in South Dakota, North Da.
kota and Manitoba.
1t Is the Red river and Pembina
highway of the northern section, and
the Santa Fe trail of the south, which
the Meridian road connects. Across
the Red river valley road and the
Pembina road. running the full length
of the Red River of the North. fort,
and fifty years ago there passed the
prairie schooner and the Red river
cart. On the Santa Fe trail. at about
the same time. was. also the prairie
schooner-the van Euard..of civiliza.
ClON. .;.:.- :...,.. &,
Bringing the Meridian road to it.
present stage has been the work OF
many months. the movement being in.
a%ugurated in Kansas last year. Nov
every mile Of the route has been de.
termined upon. and in the southern
states the road workers are already
engaged in the Improvement of the
roads. Next spring will see the in.
auguration of similar work in the
northern states and in Manitoba.
The Meridian road will he connected
with the Minnesota system of high
ways at two points in North Dakota
Grand Forks and Fargo. 1t will thus
AFFORD a Il from Duluth to Winni.
peg by, way of Grand Forks and from,
the twin cities to Winnipeg by way of
either Grand Forks or Fargo.
Along the entire route of this 1900
highway there are no natural obstruc-
lions which the road builders will
have to contend with. There is scarce
~ Il hill of any consequence along the
entire distance from Winnipeg to the
gulf. From Galveston at sea level
the plateau rises to about $500 to
reaching it's highest altitude at wa
tertown. S. D., at LOO feet. From
Watertown to Winnipeg. Man.. there is
q gradual downward slope, Winnipeg
being 700 feet above sea level.
Natural advantages possessed by
this route r greater than those pro-
vided by m other route that could
be selected. Lying, az 1t does, he
tween the foothills OF. the Rocky
mountains and the Mississippi river,
1t has none of the obstacles to contend
with that are found in other places.
By this road 1t will be possible to
motor from WINNIPEG to the Gulf OF
Mexico in five or six days. and as the
work advances from year ia year. II
doubtless will become very heavily
Travelled.
Cities through which this road pass
have not been slow to see the adj
vantages hat are to be derived from
It. and in some districts there have
been hot fights for the route. In some
places this has resulted in two roads
being laid for short distances.
1t Is now the plan of the leaders I'm
this movement to call a general meet
Ing Of the workers Of the different
states. such meeting to be held at some
point in Kansas or Nebraska. At that
meeting general plans for the improve
ment Of the highway will be consider
ed.
A common sign will be adopted for
the road over the entire distance,
every turn to be indicated and dis
tances shown.
Indirect results will be achieved
through the construction Of this road
which will be even more important
than the direct results. The road will
furnish incentive for other road build
Ing, and It will be extremely valuable
to local traffic. even more so than to
the through tourists.