Evening star., 1917-09-16
GOOD ROAD At LAST
HERE TO RICHMOND
Chopawamsic Swamp Con-
quered by Army of Picks,
ShoveIS and Steam Rollers.
DULY 0. KID BY A. A. A.


Chopawamsick swamp. insofar Is 1t
relates to motor travel between the Ma
tional Capital and Richmond. is no
more. What probably was Americas S
most infamous barrier to automobile
touring surrendered to General Road
Builder and an army of picks. shovels
and steam rollers last week.
This news comes automatically from
officials of the A. A. \. District of Co
lumbia Club, which for nearly three
years has worked to provide motorists
with a travelable road between this
city and the Virginia metropolis.
Today the trip to the southern city
may be made minus many of the dan
gers and much of the discomfort which
formerly made it one of frightfulness.
Few Chuck-Holes Left.
According to A. A. A. officials who
made an inspection trip over the route
Wednesday, the ride is not entirely
without its trials, these being in the
shape of numerous chuck holes and
some very uneven highway between
Occoquan village and Dumfries. There
is about two miles of this bad road, the
ciuD men report, Whlcn, however, calls
only for slow driving in dry weather
and careful driving in wet weather. A
new road through this section is now in
course of construction, and to this work
will be applied the A. A. A. road funds
not used in the swamp work. The
new road should be completed in about
four months.
Last Wednesdays tour Of tho road
was made for the double purpose of In
specting the completed work and sign
marking the route. which was accom-
plished under the personal supervision
of Manager A. q. Seller of the touring
bureau at the A. A. AS Washington
headquarters.
Yellow and Black Signs Point Way.
According to Mr.. Seller. the road is
now thoroughly posted with the in
destructible yellow and black road
signs of the American Automobile AS
sociation, and the driver is hopeless.
indeed. who loses his way.
Says Mr.. Seller:
Motorists desiring to make the
motor trip between Washington and
Fredericksburg or Richmond may now
do SO fairly confident that they Will ar
rive at their destination with their cars
intact and their nerves unshattered
provided they will drive with due eau
tion before entering and after leaving
Occoouan village.
Before entering this village and a fter
leaving the District penal institute
the road winds for couple of miles
along the side of a huge bluff with a
deep ravine below. Here there are
many sharp. dangerous curves, and the
driver should proceed slowly and fire.
quently sound his horn. especially If
driving at night, a quick turn to
avoid collision may end in a death
dealing fall into the yawning depths
below. The surface of this road, how
ever, is splendid; only caution is need
ed
Can Be Negotiated Safely.
About three miles out of occoquan
village the motorist meets some very
| rough road, which might cause serious
trouble after a very heavy rainfall, but
| which ought, with due care, to be
negotiated safely at any time.
las there are many optional routes
into Dumfries, / consider it extremely
important that tourists follow the A.
| A. A. signs. as these We're erected only
after several careful surveys of all the
roads under varying conditions
From Dumfries on, formerly the
worst part of the\trip, if not the worst
trip in the United States. the way is
clear and the road is good. and the
nail olu I1oopInS VINO formerly
used to haul luckless motorists from the
mire are now out of job with uncer-
tain days before them
I'm conclusion. 1 cannot too strongly
urge motorists to exercise the utmost
| care at the railroad grade crossing near
LoEton station. Southbound the trav-
eler ascends a short. steep hill and is
on the track almost unawares. North
bound the motorist drops onto the
crossing unexpectedly. A more danger
Gus crossing does not exist anywhere
and while this soon will be eliminated.
it demands sextreme vigilance while 1t
exists"
Mr.. Seller also stated that new