Republican farmer., 1918-01-18

That highway construction should De prosecuted without let-up and ex- 1st1ng roads maintained at the high est point of efficiency; that more and more permanent roads of the high est character should be the states policy in road building; and that the increased motor traffic should lead to policy of cooperation on the part of the state, railroad companies and municipalities in the progressive elimination of dangerous grade cross ings, are the chief recommendations in the report of Highway Commission CT Charles J. Bennett for the year ended September 30, 1917.
 The expense of maintenance of the state highway department for the year ended September 30, was $2,- 528, ,225. The refunds received from all sources were $33O,961, making the net expenditures for the year $2,197,- 263, or slightly in excess of the sum spent in the season of 1915-16. This increase was mainly due to increases in the cost of maintenance and recon struction of highways, and money to meet it was found in the increased revenue from the automobile, depart ment; material and labor costs in creased because of war conditions
 The chief expenditures of the de- partment were of three kinds: The construction of highways, the con- struction trunk line highways under acts of 1915 and 1917, and payments for the maintenance, construction and repairs of highways. Other ap- propriations were made for specific purposes, such as elimination of dan gerous conditions on trunk lines, con- struction of specified bridges and for the general operation of the depart ment.
 1 The last Assembly made ample pro vision for new road construction and the coming two years should show in creased mileage in improved high ways, although the total is restricted ed by reason of the federal govern ment's schedule, that only necessary roads should be improved, and be- cause materials and labor are scarce, by reason of war conditions.
 | During the year 2S-26 miles of new road was built, making the total Of state aid and trunk line highways to 1,457.26 miles. The department is convinced that present day traffic re- quires permanent pavements of a high character. Conditions at pres ent are abnormal and the demand for twelve month use of highway makes it necessary to expend more money on improved types of surface. It is hoped during the coming year to construct only such roads as are 1. of vital necessity to the passage of through traffic or to the development of facilities for the prosecution of the war The department expects to work in cooperation with the author ities at Washington in the develop ment of roads which are both a ne- cessity from a military and comm7r- cial standpoint, in the successIul pros-
 ecution of the war.
 The department expended or con- tracted for about $3O0,OOO worth of trunk line bridge construction On which the refunds were sucn that the net expenditure was about S19O,oOO. lThe Westport bridge at Saugatuck has been completed and the Housa- tonic River bridge at Derby started. Other bridges have been eXamlneo
 and repairs made to strengthen them. to carry all traffic which goes over them.
 The Legislature of 1917 restricted the weight of vehicles passing over
 trunk line bridges to 25,ooo pounds
 and made a further restriction, 10 be
 used at the option of the hlgnway commissioner, allowing only !o'UO0 bounds to pass over certain bridges. All new bridges have been construct ed to carry rot only 26'ooU pounds
 but a future extension or tnls nmlt
 to allow the passage or any load
 which may reasonably be expected to
 use the highways. The ne" prloges Ihave been constructed of permanent