Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-06-07
HARRISBURG PAVING


TT is plainly evident that some
i definite policy must be adopted
by Harrisburg with respect to the
maintenance of its paved highways
and the use of the streets by heavy
trucks. During the last year or two
the paving has been deteriorating at
rate which is giving concern to all
who have a pride in the fine charac-
ter of our improved highways.
1t has been assumed in some quar-
ters that the condition of the streets
is the result of imperfect paving
specifications, but this is not the fact
No better specifications were adopted
for any city of Pennsylvania than
those which were provided for Har-
risburg. Careful attention was given
to this matter at the outset of the
paving campaign here and much of
the deterioration has resulted from
new conditions and the use of enor-
mously heavy trucks, some of them
of seven-ton capacity.
Unless and until different specifica-
tions are adopted for future paving
and replacement of the present sur
face it is probable that the city re-
pair plant will be inadequate to
maintain the street conditions which
have given Harrisburg a fine repu-
tation in this respect.
AS an illustration of what is trans
piring all over the city and casual
study of the situation will show that
the heaviest trucks are now utilizing
the main boulevard of Harrisburg,
slong the river, for purely traffic
purposes. 1t is almost the rule for
these heavy transportation vehicles,
with their loads of coal and stone
and brick and other heavy material,
to use Front street, instead Of pursu-
ing the natural outlets on other high
ways. 1t is not uncommon for the
drivers of these trucks to go far out
of their way to reach Front street
from one end of that highway to
the other. Other cities have adopted
traffic regulations which keep free at
least one street for purely pleasure
driving and it may come to that in
Harrisburg in view of the misuse OF
the only boulevard the city boasts.
BY reason of the increasing loads
which pass over the paved highways
there are thousands of depressions,
and it becomes apparent that some
action must be taken very soon 10
overcome the threatening menace to
the paved areas. Too long there
has been indifference to the situation
and what this newspaper has been
calling attention to for two or three
years is now apparent to all who
have eyes to see.
Commissioner Lynch, as the head
of the Department of Public Works,
is probably doing all that is possible
with the asphalt repair plant of the
city to restore the defects in the high
ways, but it is doubtful whether one
such plant will be sufficient to place
the street surfaces in the shape that
the public demands. 1t may become
necessary to inaugurate a general re-
pair campaign from one end of the
city to the other, replacing areas
worn out and strengthening those
streets where the business traffic i.
heaviest. 1t is not too late to save
many thousands of dollars by in,
mediate attention to the situation, bu
delay now may involve the city il
enormous expenditure for replace
ment hereafter.
Generally speaking, the city hai
been justified in assuming that few
other cities are so we'll favored il
the matter Of street paving. but W,
must not fall into the error that
street once improved is improved TO
all time without further attention o
any sort. This policy has resulted il
the destruction of many improves
highways throughout the State an,
Governor Brumbaugh has frequentl
called attention to the necessity o
sectional foremen to keep constan
watch of the highways, so that TIL
first sign of deterioration may be tn
signal for activity on the part of tn
: repair force.