Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-09
new R0lADLAW
IS APPROVED
Action of Governor Opens Wa,
to U. s. Aid for Highways
in This State.

Bismarck. N. D.. March s.-Gover-
nor Frazier yesterday signed House
Bill 1es. creating a state highway
commission to consist Of the governor.
state engineer. commissioner Of aSri-
culture and labor and two members
to be named by the governor. The
chief executive becomes chairman.
the commission. which 10 required to
meet at the capitol within thirty days
after tho act takes effect. Inasmuch
a. the bill carries a nemergency clause
1t became effective yesterday, and the
board must be organized not later
than April {. which will place 1t in
position to prepare for the early
spring campaign Of road building.
State Engineer Jay w. Bliss stated
today that no concrete highway prop
ostionha been offered to date for
the consideration of the commission.
Application for projects for which
state and federal aid is desired must
be filed first with the secretary of tho
state commission. When these pro-
jects have been Investigated and ap-
proved by the state commission, they
will then be referred to the federal
highway engineer for this district,
who is located at st. Paul. Engineer
Hathaway, who represents the Unit
ed States department of agriculture in
his territory. explained in q recent
visit to Bismarck that very little red
tape will be connected with the fed
eral administration Of the Shackle-
ford post roads bill, and it is probable
that the verdict Of the state commits
sion will be accepted in a majority of
cases without much question.
Aid In Bridge Work.
Under both state and federal high
way acts, aid may be given in tho con-
struction OF bridges as we'll as roads,
q necessary bridge being being consid-
cred u part Of the highway which 1t
serves. Secretary Bliss will immedi-
ately complete the preparation of a
general highway plan of the state. in
cluding all trunk-line highways which
to be designated as state roads. 1t is
his duty, subject to the approval of
the highway commission, to determine
the general character Of construction
for highways and bridges and to pre-
pare specifications which must be ad-
hered to in order to procure state and
federal aid.
When any board Of county commits
sioners shall decide to construct a
line Of highway in accordance with
the provisions Of this act. written ap-
RAASoSAOAA 40 W oo Adu0 " Su0 oSdSo
commission. and If the latter. upon
investigation, is satisfied taht the
county will be In position to meet its
share Of the cost Of the improvement,
and that the improvement is of SUBJ
stantial value, plans and estimates are
to be prepared BY the state engineer.
If the improvements cost $4,000 or
less. it shall be discretionary with the
engineer and highway commission
whether the work be done by the
commission or by the county. In all
cases where the cost exceeds $4,000.
the state engineer shall advertise for
bids and award the contract. Tho cost
of all work done under the supervi-
sion and with the approval Of the
state highway commission shall be
paid for fifty per cent by the county
and fifty per cent by the state. and
the cost Of maintenance shall be met
in the same manner. In every case
assurance is required from the coun-
ty that state roads once built will be
maintained, and Epon the failure Of a
county to comply the work shall be
done by the state commission and the
cost deducted from the county's al
lotment Of the automobile license fee
fund.