Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-01-25
Maryland Has Spent
Millions In Roads.
Considered the STANDARD Pub
lie Roads of America"

Considered the standard PuD'
lie Roads of America"
Maryland leads all other states of the
Union in the mileage of improved roads
in ratio to area. 1t also leads in the
standard of its roads, for they are the
most durable, the smoothest and most
free from grades.
In the low cost of original construction
and in low cost of maintenance Maryland
also leads. Indeed so well recognized is
this lead that to Maryland come road
engineers and others interested in road
construction from other states to study
the STANDARD public roads OF America. "
They are accepted as models, as the best
models.
The mileage of improved roads in
Maryland is 1900, of which 1850 miles
were constructed directly by the state
and $50 miles on the Shoemaker plan;
that is, the state paying one-half and the
county in which such roads are built pay
ing the other half of the initial cost.
Before the expiration Of 1917 the mile
age of improved roads in Maryland will
be 1900, of which $50 will be construct
ed directly by the state and so on the
Shoemaker plan. For this construction
there will be expended 5000, 900.
The direct cause of road improvement
in Maryland has been $l8,00O,OOO, to
which should be added 5000, 900 expend-
ed under the Shoemaker plan, making
the grand total 100000. Funds for
the direct construction of roads have
been raised by bond issues. For the
maintenance of these improved roads dur
ing 1917 there will be available sum
somewhat in excess of $500, 900, or about
$24O per mile, The maintenance fund is
derived from motor-vehicle licenses and
10 expected to increase each year. 1t is
believed that next year the total revenue
from this source will exceed $l,G0O,0OO
The most striking material benefit de-
rived from improved roads in Maryland
is an increase in farm values. The new
assessment of real estate in the counties
may increase farm values to such an ex-
tent that increased revenues from this
source may 60 along way in meeting in
terest payments and sinking fund re-
quirements of the several state road
loans.
Improvements to state roads contem-
plated or under contract for the most
part are confined to the completion of
gaps in the system of highways original
ly planned, thus making lines of continu-
GUS smooth roads that will soon ramify
and extend from Garrett to Worcester
county. Included in the plans of the
commission are several new bridges as
parts of the completed system.
One of these bridges will span the Sine
puxent Bay at Ocean City. The COM
mission is investigating the feasibility of
establishing ferry between Annapolis
and Claiborne, for which $3.50, 600 was
appropriated by the last legislature.
The following is list of roads in Car
roll, Frederick and Washington counties
recently improved or under contract to
be improved:
Observation-Disclosures $50
miles. Awarded at meeting of August
10, 1916. Fenby-W Westminster, 2. so miles.
Awarded at meeting of August 10, 1916.
Mountain Valley pike, l.94 miles, 1917.
Frederick-Thurmont- Emmitsburg 8. so
miles, under contract. Harmony Grove
Frederick, $50 miles. To be advertised
shortly. Emmitsburg- Bridgeport miles.
Knoxville Washington county line 81
mile. To be improved in 1917.
Washington-W eaverton-H arpers Fer
ry 284 miles. To be improved in 1917.
Highways through Incorporated towns
will be improved as follows:
Preston, so mile. Under contract.
Greensboro, mile. To be improved
in 1917.
Sykesville, 80 mile. To be re-adver-
tised.
La Plata, rs mile. To be improved in
1917.
Hurlock, SO mile. Under contract.
East New Morket, IA mile. To be
improved in 1917.
Jefferson, l mile. Under contract.
Chestertown, 80 mile. To be improv-
ed in 1917.
Rockville, mile. To be improved in
1917.
Upper Marlboro, 10 mile. Under con-
tract.
Leonardtown, rs mile. To be i'm
proved in 1917.
Sharptown, so mile. To be improved
in 1917.
Logs Letter.