The Alaska daily empire., 1916-10-27
Construction Has Been Recommended by Head of Commission
 on Roads.
TO ASK APPROPRIATION
Colonel Richardson Has Made Out Plans for Road Work for the
 Next Year.

Col. w. P. Richardson, president of the Alaska Board of Road Com missioners, stated today to repre- sentative of The Empire that the Commission has recommended to the War Department that the Gastineau Channel bridge be constructed at once, and the plans for the con struction and the estimate of the cost have also been submitted.
 The Road Commission have also submitted an estimate of the money necessary for road work in the Ter ritory next year. or $5OO,OOO. Col. Richardson is now on his way to Washington where he will remain un- til Congress has met and made the necessary appropriations for the road work in Alaska next year.
 The estimated amount necessary for the Gostineau bridge iS carried in a separate appropriation.
 Col Richardson said: "We have asked for what is considered nec- essary for a permanent structure with 5OO-foot steel span. bridge which will handle the traffic for years to come. and one which will be permanent in its nature.
 Permanent Surfaces
 "The money for road work asked for if obtained. will be used next year in making permanent surfaces on the roads already constructed in Alaska. and which now are in more or less uncompleted condition. In the past it has been the policy of the Road Commission to construct as many roads and trails in the Ter ritory as pissible to open as much Of the Territory as possible. lt has been impossible Co finish the roads built and give them a harl surface for heavy traffic with the money We have had. From now on we in- tend to finish all roads already built SO that the only money necessary for them in the future will be the annual maintenance.
 If we secure the appropriation for the Gastineau Channel bridge, while it is separate and cpart from our other road funds, the amount of money spent in the First Division other than that will be relatively small. The work will consist in the hard surfacing of all roads al- ready built, the extension of the Mendenhall road to Aux Bay and the annual upkeep cost of all roads.
 For New Road Laws
 Another thing which will be ta- ken up by us, will be the necessary laws for the regulation Of traffic over the roads controlled by the Commission. We shall seek to have bill passed, and it has already been prepared, giving us the author ity to regulate the size of loads over the roads and the class of vehicles which shall be used This is not done with an idea to injure anyone. but with view of protecting the roads so that they will yield the greatest amount of good to the most people.
 "The Fairbanks road was in ex' cellent shape until three weeks ago, but the heavy fall rains came on and with the large amount Of heavy traffic passing over the road, it was cut all to pieces. This is no fault of the Road Commission, put jt can be greatly remedied Next year the road will be hard surfaced to stand heavy traffic and then if we have l the power to regulate traffic to a certain extent. the road can be pro tected so that it will last. This is also true of other roads in all parts of Alaska.
 Lemon Creek Bridge
 "A new permanent bridge is being built across Lemon Creek, on the Mendenhall road at the present time to replace the one which has been in bad repair for some time. A temporary bridge has been built and