Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-27

Roads Leading to Rock Island

rank about 27th. Rock Island county
is behind the average county in Hi
nois, because of the difficulties OF high
way building and maintenance here
and lack of a proper realization OF the
benefits to all of good roads Then
the large number of streams demand |
a great number Of bridges, and this |
item is a formidable one. The old
wooden bridge, and its steel successor
which was but little longer lived, has
taken most of the ready money OF ev-
cry township in the county. Until now
there has been no such thing as a per
manent bridge. Now, however, the gen.
eral use of concrete at the smaller
streams promises to stop the most ser
ious drain on the road and bridge
fund Further economies will be
brought about by the standardization
of parts in bridge building and by state
supervision. The state engineer has or
can devise standard forms for bridges
of given dimensions and these can be
used over and over where needed, thus
doing away with the expense of max
ALk new LOl MS lOA CelOh piCNS Vi WI n
Reinforcement for bridges built after
a common standard is also cheaper.
AGGRESSION NEEDED.
Some progress has been made in
solving the road problem, and more
will follow in the natural course of
events, without especial agitation. But
the tendency among cities situated as
Rock Island, is not to wait for ques-
tons to settle themselves. Other COM
munities are awake and have taken
matters into their own hands. While
| they are working for a general state
movement they are taking hold in the
meantime, and doing what they can
/ locally to bring about betterment.
Rock Island must do at least as much
as other cities and, with the aid of
the $4,000 club, a start has been made.
! Money should be raised to perman-
emily improve the one main entrance
to the city from the south, at least as
far as Milan. Both Ninth and Twelfth
streets should be either macadamized
or laid with some variety of paving
that has a concrete base. Traffic is
so heavy that nothing but a hard
road will stand under it. Beyond Milan
attention should be given to building
and maintaining good dirt roads. Funds
can be raised in the city to help, es-
pecially in providing for drainage,
which offers the most serious obstacle
TO the maintenance of good dirt high
g
should be provided where needed and
financial assistance given where it is
necessary to do extensive thing or
ditching. 1t would be good plan to
begin by building a section of dirt road
just outside of Milan and maintaining
it as an object lesson. The offering OF
prizes for the consistent use of the
road drag has been found effective in
other localities and should be tried
here. Much can be gained by studying
the experience of cities that have al
ready improved their entrances, par
tcularly in eastern states. This, evi
!, IDENTIFY, is work that We in the city car
do to best advantage.
} NEW ROAD DESIRABLE.
OF course we all look forward to the
time when there will be a good roat
following the bank of the Mississippi
river toward the southwest, crossing
Rock river near its mouth and bring
: ing three miles nearer to our doors the
productive acres of the western town
ships of the county. 1t is exceedingl,
important that such a highway be bull
: at an early day. But in the mean
time Rock Island must do all it car
: TO bring the country nearer by maxim,
travel over its single entrance from
the south easier and more comfortable
: If the city takes the initiative AM
shows its sincerity the outlying town
, ships may be relied upon to do thei
: part, and the benefits will be mutua
z and far reaching.