Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-24
ASTOUNDING ROAD FIGURES.

Some interesting and startling fig
| ures are adduced in study Of ex-
penditures for roads and bridges in
Woodbury. county, in relation to the
effect that might be created from a
bond issue for an immense program OF
paved country roads and permanent
I bridges.
Continuing the present levies in
Woodbury. county for roads and bridges,
county and townships, IN addition to
the fund derived from automobile
licenses, fund would be raised dur
ing the next thirty years of more than
$4,000 600. This computation involves
an estimated increase in the number of
licensed automobiles and in general
property valuations. If there Is no
change in practice this immense sum
will be raised and expended just the
same a large part of it for work OF no
permanent benefit Isn't it worth
considering whether there is chance
to make better use of this 100000,
and get considerable portion OF the
benefits soon?
The sum reverting to Woodbury.
county from the automobile licenses
for 1914 was S11,704. 1t is conservative
to estimate that the average for the
next 80 years will be double that
amount-s23,4oS year, or s702,240 for
thirty years.
For the year 1915, the county road
levy will produce sS4,345: county bridge
levy. s51,726; township roads, s32,S9O;
road dragging, s9,415: total. S12s.376.
Assessed valuations have doubled dur
ing the past thirty years and it is fair
to estimate that they will double again
in the next thirty years. This esti-
mate. therefore, warrants an increase
of so per cent in the present total in
fixing an average for the next thirty
years-giving s192,564 a year, or So
776.920 for thirty years.
Adding the auto license fund for
thirty years, S702,240, to prospective
expenditures on road and bridges,
s5,776,920 gives grand total Of s6,477,-
100.
The official county road system in
Woodbury. measures 222h miles. On
a basis of $4,000 a mile, this could be
paved with concrete for s2,664,000. The
interest charges and maintenance cost,
for thirty years. would be about ST.
600,0 additional. Total cost OF 222H
miles of paved road, interest on bonds
and maintenance, s4.264,000.
In Woodbury. county the wooden
culverts under four feet total $3.50
lineal feet, and wooden bridges over
four feet total 29,647 lineal feet. Grand
total, 1895 feet. These wooden bridges
and culverts could be replaced with
concrete for 100000. The interest for
thirty years, on the serial plan. would
be 100000, bringing the total cost to
$1,12ooO0.
Under the suggested plan. therefore
the actual cost Of paving the entire
county road system and replacing the
wooden bridges and culverts would be
81. $4,000. The estimate for amount
raised and expended under present
plans, s6.477,160, minus the cost OF
paved country roads and concrete
bridges, s5.3s4,o00 leaves balance OF
81 ,092 Cor s36,43S a year for use
on highways outside the county road
system and for general repair and
emergency requirements.
Review these figures and ponder
over them. They are worth while.
Think of the elements OF economy.
safety and comfort in having these bet
ter roads and bridges now. Then,
ponder carefully over the fact that
these conditions can be brought about
on present levies. still leaving an ample
fund for all that any county should
expend in temporary work.
Citizens Of woodbury. county can at
ford to travel over good roads and good
bridges when that satisfaction can be
secured in "even exchange" for present
conditions.