The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-25
Quebec Road To Be Improved

The wonders or highway construc-
ton which have been going forward,
for several years past. on the Can
adian side of our northern boundary,
have gradually become known to the
people of Maine. There is a per-
fectly magnificent highway. practic-
aly all the way between the boundary
line and The city of Quebec, down the
Chaudiere River Valley There Is a
similar highway from Quebec to Mon
treal on the northern bank OF the
St. Lawrence River, and another from
Montreal southwark into New York
State. Nature has done a good deal
for the road from Bingham north
ward to the Canadian line. Gravel,
the very best of natural material, Is
abundant, and a comparatively small
expenditure has kept the most OF
this road in splendid condition. The
same condition exists on the road to
Scion, as far as Robbins Hill, or
following the Kennebec as far as
North Arson, South of these points,
the gravel plays out, and unless the
highway has recently had expert at
tention, it exhibits all qualities from
Maine has planned an excellent
system of trunk line highways, and
a very respectable beginning has
been made Coming into the State
at Portsmouth, one strikes improved
road most of the way, via Portland,
Augusta and Waterville, to either
Skowhegan or Madison. 1t will be
very agreeable to people OF Somerset
County to know that recent letter
from Paul D. Sergeant, OF the Maine
Highway Department, to the officials
Of the Automobile Club of Canada,
states that 1t is planned, the coming
summer, to begin work at the Maine
Quebec boundary line and complete
improved road toward Jackman. The
same letter speaks of the plan to con-
tinue this work, from year to year,
until we have a good road all the way
up through Maine to connect with
the work which has been done in the
Provinces. The Kennebec road in
Northern Somerset which was dam
aged so seriously by the cloudbursts
OF last summer, chiefly between The
Forks and the line, is to receive i'm
mediate attention as soon as the
building season opens. Somerset
County people are interested in this
matter for two reason& First, per-
haps, because of the realization that
the Kenuebec Valley and the Ken
nebec road are the natural thorough
fare from New England into the Prov
lnces. and the desire that this fact
should contribute, what 1t is naturally
fitted to do, to the prosperity OF our
section by drawing a heavy tourist
travel A second reason Is: the desire
of our own people to be able to make
what Is by all means the most inter-
esting auto tour within 500 miles, up
through The Forks and Jackman and
down through the quaint and charm
Ing Quebec towns OF Saint Come,
Beauceville. Tout Finis, Beauce
Junction, etc, to Quebec. In years
past, we have been humilitated at the
unfavorable comparison between our
own highway and that with which 1t
connected just beyond the Canadian
boundary This unsatisfactory DIFF
ference is likely to be equalized with
In the next few years
In this connection, 1t may be stated
that an International Four is being
arranged to start from Massachusetts.
through the Quebec Valley, following
the route already commented upon
to the City of Quebec. From that
point 1t is to continue TO Montreal
and make the return journey by way
of the Lake Champlain Valley. We
are In touch with the Canadian peo-
pie who are promoting this enter
prise, and shall give dates and fur
Their particular, as they become
available.