Middletown transcript., 1911-04-15
SURVEY DUPONT HIGHWAY
Will Send Out Three Squads
of EnuineerS this Week

haa been for several weeks, and be
brought with him the pleasing informa.
tion that three corps of surveyors will be
started out this week to make tentative
surveys in New Castle and Sussex coun-
ties for the boulevard which General du'
Pont proposes to build and to give free OF
cost to the state. During his stay at The
Moore, as his country home is known.
General dupont has been evolving plans
for the great highway one hundred miles
long, which he proposes to construct as
part OF ''good roads" hobby he has bad
in mind for years, and which doubtless
will be one of the finest highways in any
State in the Union.
General DUPONT Monday morning said
he expects to start two or three corps OF
engineers this week making preliminary
surveys for the proposed boulevard. Two
of these engineering squads will start rum
ing lines through Sussex county, and it ia
probable that one force of engineers will
work from Delmar toward Harrington,
and the other from Selbyville toward
Georgetown. At the same time another
corps ofengineers will start somewhere in.
New Castle county to look over the
country and to suggest different routes.
The lingering of winter and the encroach-
mens of winter weather into springtime
has deferred the start of surveying oper-
ations. Coupled with the uncertain
weather, the frequent rains have made
conditions such in the open country that
surveyors could not do much work, and
what they might do would not be satis-
factory.
When the prospect Of more settled
weather, however, General du Pout is
ready to get right down to the preliminary
details, aud be expects that the surveys
will have progressed sufficiently in two
months to permit the Commissioners de-
signated under the law empowering the
dupont boulevard construction-the Gov.
sruor, the Secretary Of State and the Lieu.
Governor-to determine upon the
location of part of the road at least.
To start without Delay
"Then," says General dupont, 81 ex-
pect to start work the day after any one
section is accepted by the Commissioners.
Il should be understood that the location |
Of the road has not been determined upon
and that it will depend entirely upon
the surveys and conditions that are reveal
ed by those surveys. The location of the
dupont highway, too, will be determined
by the three Commissioners designated
by the law empowering she construction
Of roads by boulevard corporations,
which was passed by the recent Legisla-
ture. General dupont made it clear that
The route for the road is yet to be deter
mined.
"What are your plans for going through
towns on the line of the road" General
DUPONT was asked.
II have been giving this subject great
deal of thought" he replied. "There is
4 strong sentiment in sone places in
iavor of the road going through the towns
and if the Road Commissioners feel that
this is advisable am willing to consider
i along the following line, but we must
the condition to kept in mind.
Might 60 Through Towns
"Ths streets are in many instances too
narrow and crooked and are not likely
% run in line parallel to the proposed
.oad. No arrangement has been made
With the municipal authorities; each
'ase must be handled separately accord
ng to local circumstances.
Assuming that the Commissioners feel
! location through certain town is desir-
.ble and that town wants the road. II
he town would give right of way from
ts northern to its southern boundary,
ay one hundred feet wide, running prac-
ically parallel to the survey of the road,
hould pass necessary ordinances to prop
rly maintain the road at all times; the
aid right Of way to be one of the present
treets Ridened perhaps, or an entirely
lew street, as might be determined,
Vould then consider building through
own, say four roads 16 feet wide and two
ideTalks, separated by grass plots and
rees or curbipg; one road each way to be
sed for vehicles pulled by animal or man, !
nd one road each way for motor pro. |
elled vehicles. then share the additional {
Expense with the town, bearing the lions :
bare myself; the amount would be gov I
rned by the adopted plan. The town
hight we'll give 200 feet and have more !
eautiful and attractive boulevard for its 1
eople.
''You understand I am only speaking
n general lines. Details too numerous
, mention in the space you can allow for
bis article, would have to be considered" I
Comprehensive Plans q
"Have you any further ideas in connee.
on with the road that would be of in /
srest?" General DUPONT was asked by
be reporter.
81 have some general plans, as yet so
ndeveloped that the final outcome might q
OF be recognized as having the present
be replied. For instance:
practical, I want to establish, say every
% miles, station, where patrons OF the
pad could stop and ask questions about {
Inds, crops, properties for sale, be given
lforamtion about surrounding country, '
ed horses, get gasoline, luncheon or tea,
ave minor repairs made to automobiles c
get horse shod; keep early plants for
rmers, and perhaps thoroughbred stock,
istribute circulars telling, Of the advan- u
ges of Delaware and for many other
urposes.
"This station would be looked after by
le family of the man who looked after
lat section OF the road, or by one Of the q
FneFs or an arrangement made by which
organization of those interested In il
future could make expert