Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-09
Councillor Scates Says
Maine Roads Excellent

Hon. John Clark ScateS of the Gov
errors Council and chairman of the
committee on highways of the Coun-
Gil, has been inspecting the State
highways with the members Of that
! committee.
! Mr.. Scates is also secretary Of the
Maine Automobile Association and
has been observing road conditions
! for that organization as well. In a
report to the Touring Bureau, he gives
complete description of conditions OF
travel over the Maine highways as well
as the best route between points in
Maine. Mr. Scates' report is as fol-
lows:
For the past 10 days I have been
travelling over the roads of Maine from
Portland to Bangor and from Calais
to Rangeley. In all my touring l never
before have found the roads in such
good condition. l have been over
every State road construction job eX-
cept in Aroostook and around every
detour The great complaint comes
from the condition Of some of the de-
tours, although in dry weather they
are not very bad If the detours
could be taken care of, 80 per cent
of the complaints would be elimin-
ated
MANY of the roads outside the trunk
! lines | have not been over for two
years, and was surprised to see the
Improvement during that time. Wher-
ever the patrolman uses ordinary in
telligence and works, great improve
ment is noticed.
r ox1yicf - nSfo
one should take the College road at
| Lewiston. The first five miles of this
road are good but the last three miles
to where the college road joins the new
State road at Greene. would be rather
bad on a wet day, although all right
in dry weather.
From Waterville to Bangor, one
should go from Fairfield to Hinckley
and cross over the bridge at Pishon s
Ferry and go direct to Canaan. This
is a much better road than the original
detour, laid out by crossing over the
bridge at Fairfield to Benton, besides
being from seven to eight miles short
er. The road to Canaan, via Hinckley
Is good. The short detour on this road
between Fairfield and Hinckley is good
For about two weeks 1t will be neces-
sary to make a detour from Etna to
Herman Corner. This is we'll signed
From Bangor to Bar Harbor the road
| is good in all kinds Of weather. The
State is constructing a road around
Marr's Hill. which. when completed
will avoid the climb over this steep
hill There is no difficulty in getting
over the hill now as it is smooth and
hard.
| From Ellsworth to Eastport and
Calais, the road is as good as one can
go over The three and a half miles
of road from Prospect to Prospect
Ferry and Bucksport ia in good condi-
ton. as the patrolman keeps at work
on 1t constantly.
1.-THE road from Pennington to
Rangeley is almost a boulevard. as the
construction work does not bother a
particle. There are about three miles
that is rather narrow but very smooth
The road from Phillips to Weld. the
short cut off from Rangeley to the
White Mountains, has been greatly
improved. This section Of road as
The road from Weld to Dixfield is fine
as is the road from Weld to Wilton.
From Rumford to Bethel the road
| is all that could be desired. The road
| from Wiscasset to Damariscotta is the
best I ever saw it, but would be rather
bad in wet weather. In a few days
the section of road just east Of Dam
ariscotta, which has caused so much
complaint. will be open to travel, and
the remainder Of the detour Is good.
THE Searsport Stockton road,
which has caused no end Of trouble,
is now open and completed. The best
way by far, to go to Bangor. from
Portland. is via the shore route, the
detour from Damariscotta east is bet
ter than the old road every way. The