Evening journal., 1918-11-29
PHILADELPHIA Pike
ABOUT Finished
CONTINUED From First Page }


Of one and half miles unrepaired road
viii be placed in passable condition and
maintained for trafflc.
Reconstruction Of the pike was COM
menced by the State Highway Commits
sioners some months ago. but the war
time restrictions and other difficulties
attendant with war conditions seriously
retarded the work The road should
have been finished long ago. Is a fire.
quent complaint Of the impulsive, but a
consideration OF the many and varied
obstacles TO the csrryi. on OF the work
with which the contrac.ors have had TO
contend impresses that the progress on
the road has been satisfactory and in
vites little criticism.
When the repaving OF the pike is
completed, Delaware can boast OF hav-
ing one OF the finest and most durable
roads in this country, and the State
will occupy a more exalted position
among the other States OF the country
in regards TO good highways. The
high-grade character OF the construc-
tion Of the pike, the lessening OF the
grade by filling IN the hOll0ws and cut
ting through the higher spots. and the
various other improvements OF the road
have been highly commended by num-
Der Of leading road builders.
10 has been asserted that he road
Will be capable Of bearing the heaviest
sort OF traffic without serious impair
ment for many years.
Il has also been remarked that In
the future IL will not be a question
Delaware l. urpassed in road
by any other State, but whether any
other State can equal this State in re-
CARDS 10 roads.
The turnpike Is being constructed OF
brick, with a seven-inch concrete base
and with an inch sand cushion be-
tween.
In addition to the quality Of paving,
many other improvements have been
made in the road. Ths grade has been
lessened, the road has
been wldened. bridges have been made
more substantial, and the bridge in
front of ShellpOt Park has been Wild
ened TO a large extent.
The greatest difficulty experienced on
he pike has been at Penny Hill. where
The grade will be decreased about 80 |
per cent In order TO lessen the grade |
here, ii has been necessary to make |
extensive fills and cuts. But 10 has |
been in making the cut that the real |
md most obstinate trouble has been |
a vast mass OF solid rock |
having 10 be removed. Through this /
section. the. bulk OF which is rock. |
he cut is 10 i-2 feet. The greater part |
u the removing Of the rock has been |
earth forming a larger part |
If the work yet to be done. Work OF |
making that cut will continue, and Il |
s expected IL will be finished by Janu-
sry
The Ill lies at the foot OF the hill, |
md is nine feet deep.
Travellers over the turnpike Will find |
L wonderfully improved over its con-
Hilton before the starting OF the repav-
ng. More than half Of it will be |
lnished when the pike is thrown Open |
'or the winter, and the remainder will |
DO maintained constantly. For about |
1ne and a half miles from the top OF |
Penny Hill the paving has been finished |
md about the same distance has been |
lnlshed between Bellevue and Clay |
mont. Between these two completed |
ittllOAcf llONCNIAg lAtlt - sun dDout /
lne and a half miles yet unrepaired. |
One-half mile Of the paving has been |
lnlshed from the State line southwark, |
md from the end Of that stretch, a |
ialf mile OF old road intervenes. About /
hree and half miles Of the pike that |
viii be opened for travel will be fin,
shed. and two miles, including one
ialf mile Of fills. will be unpaved road. |
rhe Penny Hill portion that will re-
main closed is about one-half mile in
ength.
The opening OF the road will shorten
ravel northward. The detour has been |
n use since the starting Of the rebuild
ng Of the road has been by way OF /
he Concord pike. Faux road, Naaman's
,reek road and then onto the turnpike.
Conditions on this route were not OF
he best. A large extent on the eastern
nd Of the Naaman's Greek road is seri-
usly in need OF repairs. The road is
worm and ruts are numerous there. but J.
large portion OF the road was re-
emily repaired by the county, and Is
D satisfactory condition. The Faulk \
oad has been placed In condition for
rafiic and the Concord pike is in first
lass shape.
MISSIONARY SOCIETY MEETING