The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-14
MONEY IS READY
Eighty-Five Million Available
for Road Work.
Federal Aid Road Bill Became
Law This Month.
STATES MUST TAKE INTEREST
Cooperation to so Per Cent of
Construction Cost.
Maintenance Charged Against
Districts Benefited.
STATES MUST TAKE INTEREST

Washington, D. c., July 1.-THE |
sum of sS5.00O,O00 of federal funds
is made available for the construc-
ton of rural roads, by the passage of
the federal aid road bill which became
law July II. OF this sum, 10000
600 is to be expended for the con-
struction of rural postroads under CO.
operative arrangements with the high
way departments of the various states.
and S10.000,00O is to be expended for
roads and trails within or partly with
IN the national forests. The act linn
its the federal governments share in
road work in cooperation with the
states to so per cent of the estimated
cost of construction. Federal aid may
be extended to the construction of any
rural postroad, excluding all streets or
roads in towns having a population of
$500 or more except the portions of
such streets or roads on which the
houses are, on an average, more than
200 feet apart.
Five million dollars is made avail
able for expenditure during the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1917. and there
after the appropriation is increased at
the rate of S5,000.000 year until
1921, when the sum provided is $25,-
100000. making total of SIS. 100000:
In addition, an appropriation of
$1,000, 600 a year for ten years, a to-
tai of $10,000,000, is made available
for the development of roads and
trails wholly or partly within the ma
tiOnal forests.
The class of roads to be built and
the method of construction are to be
mutually agreed upon By the Secre-
tary of agriculture and the state high
way departments.
Apportionment of Funds Among States
The act provides that after making
necessary deductions for administering
its provisions-not to exceed 8 per
cent of the appropriation for any one
fiscal year-the secretary of agricul
ture shall apportion the remainder of
each years appropriation in the fol-
lowing manner:
area of each state bears to the total
area of all the states: one-third in
the ratio which the population of each
state bears to the total population of
all the states; one-third in the ratio
which the mileage of rural delivery
routes and star routes in each state
bears to the total mileage of rural de-
livery routes and star routes in all the
states.
Estimates of Funds Needed.
Project statements setting forth the
proposed construction of any rural
postroad or roads in a state are to be
submitted by the state highway de-
partment by the secretary of agricul-
ture, and upon approval by the secre-
tary all necessary surveys, plans,
specifications and estimates must be
furnished. The roads projected must
be of a substantial character, and
items covering engineering, inspection,
and unforeseen contingencies are not
to exceed 10 per cent of the total esti-
mated cost of the work.
Upon completion of the work as ap-
proved by the secretary, the amount
set aside for the project is to be paid
to the proper state official. The sec
of agriculture iS given author
ity in his discretion to make partial
payments as the work progresses, but
not in excess of the federal govern
ment's pro rata share of the labor and
material which have been actually put
into construction work, nor in excess
of $4,000 per mile. exclusive of the
cost of bridges of more than twenty
feet clear span. All construction work
is subject to the inspection and ap-
prevail of the secretary of agriculture
States Charged With Maintenance.
The various states securing aid I'M
der the provisions of the act are
charged with the making of needed
repairs and the preservation of a rea-
sonably smooth service, considering
the type of the road. but are not OBJ
ligated to make extraordinary repairs
or undertake reconstruction. If, after
due notice. a state fails to maintain a
federa1ly aided road properly. the sec
rotary is required to refuse further
aid until the road has been properly
repaired at state expense.
The sum of s1O,OOO.OO0 is made
available in yearly appropriations of
] 100000 for the cooperative con-
struction and maintenance of roads
and trails within or partly within the
| national forests by the United States.
states, territories or counties in which
the forests lie