Evening star., 1919-10-05
AUTOMOBILE CLUB OFFICIAL
MAKES SURVEY OF ROADS
Finds Considerable Construction Work
Under Way In Pennsylvania, Della
ware and Maryland.

-. - ~ .t- = s
"A recent survey by the chief road
repf sentative Of the Automo6f1e Ciub
OF America Of New York city shows
that there is considerable construc-
tion work going on at present in
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Mary
land. A car sent out by that organi-
ration to ascertain road conditions
has just returned from an extended
trip over the main trunk lines be-
tween the metropolitan city through
the Shenandoah valley as far south
as Hot Springs.
On leaving New York city the 42d
street ferry was crossed to Weehaw-
ken and 9Th street used in crossing
street, as this street is now one
way street for eastbound trahic only
and 5th street for westbound traffic.
Report Of Journey.
In his report o. M. Wells. who
negotiated the trip, says that the old
road between Railway and Metuchen
is in fair condition and can be used
until the new road is entirely fin
rough piece Of road between New
York and Philadelphia, on the main
Crankrry turnpike and Penns Neck
through Monmouth Junction.
There are two or three very poor
more road which runs through Will
mington and Elkton to Belair. and
the road will not be opened and fin
ished for through travel until late
autumn.
The Baltimore pike, which runs
fhrnn0h 1ans6nwn Nadia Piatn0 Qs,ya
and Conowingo. has short detour
at Lansdown which is all hard sur
face. There is another detour be-
tween Hammorton and Kennett Square
which runs over hard-surfaced road
to Willowdale. The decour at Rising
Sun over. the above route is about
eight miles long over very rough road
and in wet weather would no doubt
be impossible. The long detour at
Rising Sun is due to a washouts caused
by a cloudburst which extended from
the Chesapeake bay through the Sus-
quehanna valley to HARRISBURG and
on each side Of the Susquehanna river
for about thirty miles It is rather
unfortunate that there is such q Door
detour at Rising Sun. as the entire
route between philadelphia and BaIti-
more is hard-surfaced and would
make an excellent way to reach Bal
timore. Washington and western and
southern points.
From Baltimore to Washington the
Bladensburg road is in good condi-
ton. There also is an excellent road,
which is about twenty miles longer,
crossing from Baltimore through An
napolis. to Washington. Motorists
can reach Baltimore and avoid the
Rising Sun detour by turning to the
left Just beyond Barnsley and rum
ming through Calvert and Bayview to
Northeast, which is part macadam, in
good condition, and part gravel, most
~ good. From Northeast to Balti-
more Is good, with the exception of a
short detour at Aberdeen. which
should be finished about November 1.
Prospects for Future.
When the short sections now under
| construction on the ConowinEo route
| are finished. as we'll as the repair
| work done at Rising Sun, the entire
[ timore. Frederick and Hagerstown,
| and over the Old National trail
through Wheeling, Columbus and
Springfield to Indianapolis. will be all
| hard-surfaced. and the most dire ct
way to reach the shenandoah valley
The Lancaster pike or the Lincoln
highway out of Philadelphia has con-
4 ruction work. with very short de-
tours which are not bad. through
| Brvn Mawr and Devon, Stony Brook
| and York and through the main street
| of Ahhottstown, all of which are easy
| roinx. There is detour OF fully
| eirht miles long between Gettysburg
| ana Chambersburg. which IL poor dirt
road and apt to be very bad in wet
weather.. The road from Gettysbure
to Hagerstown over South mountain
| via Fairfeld and Waynesboro is very
| rough. especially over the mountain.
/ It is especially hard on tires. as there
are long stretches OF rough. sharp
stone.
The best way to reach tl,A old Ma
ttonal trail or the Shenandoah valley
from Gettysburg ID to 60 through
lEmmittsburg to Frederick and then