Perth Amboy evening news., 1914-05-26
So Declares Commissioner Ste
venS, Stating That Middle
sex Should Be First to Get
Attention; I'd in Mileage.
HE WILL WORK FOR COUNTY
Freeholders at Meeting Yester-
day Award Contract for
Work on Roosevelt Wood
bridge Road.
Special to the EVENING NEWS.

Special to the EVENING NEWS.
New Brunswick, May 26:-Follow-
ing an agitation for better road con-
ditions in Middlesex county, State
Commissioner of Roads Stevens
came to this city yesterday and after
a tour of the county roads, accom-
panied by the Board of Freeholders,
expressed himself as believing that
Middlesex was not receiving a prop
er share of the state appropriations.
He declared that this county should
be one of the first to receive atten-
ton, it being second only to Bergen
county in the point of county road
mileage. The commissioner stated
that his hands were tied at present,
but expressed a desire to assist the
county officials in making better road
facilities whenever it was possible.
Several weeks ago, in communi-
cation to the Perth Amboy Board of
Trade, Commissioner Stevens main
tanned the same attitude and express
ed belief that the whole amount
the Board of Freeholders contem-
plate, 100000, can be expended on
road improvements. At this time he
stated that the need of further road
improvement and the maintenance
of roads was one of especial interest
in this county. Middlesex officials
have raised from their own funds
$4,000 and asked the state road de-
partment for an equal sum in MAX
ing the extensions. Mr. Stevens, how
ever, replied that Of the moneys
available at the time he could only
let them have about $50, 900 but that
after November first, the beginning
of the new State fiscal year, he would
probably be able to add $4,000 to
! the amount.
Commissioner Stevens arrived here
at o'clock in the morning and spent
the greater part of the day in max
| ing inspections of the roads, mani
| Testing much interest in the existing
conditions
At the meeting of the Board OF
Freeholders yesterday afternoon
| Thomas H. Riddle was awarded the
contract for the construction of the
| first section OF the Woodbridge
Roosevelt road, his bid being $780,
800 The bids were received two
weeks ago, but the contract not
awarded until yesterday.
A resolution was introduced by
| Freeholder Casey to advertise for
bids for the construction of the sec
ond section of the Roosevelt road
| between the Roosevelt borough line
to Vernon road, Woodbridge after
the plans have been approved by the
state commissioner. The distance tc
| be constructed is .618 miles.
Alderman John McGovern, of this
city, was the lowest bidder for the
construction Of the concrete and
steel bridge over Devils brook on the
| Aqueduct, Plainsboro-C -Cranbury road
his estimate of $1,000 being the low
est.
The Public Service Railway Com
pany and the Elizabeth and Trenton
Trolley Company applied for permis-
sion to connect their Woodbridge
| Railway lines in Woodbridge. The
communication was referred to Free
holder Casey to report at the next
| meeting of the board.
The Perth Amboy Water Com
pany sent a communication asking
permission to lay thirty inch main
pipe on the South Amboy- Borden
town turnpike, the matter being re-
ferred to Freeholder Kerr.
A petition was received signed by
the mayor, members of the council
and twelve residents of that borough
j to make Middlesex avenue within
corporate limits between high bridge
and Rector street a county road
The matter was referred to the road
committee.