Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-05-10
THE BRIDGE AND CITY PLAN

LIZ OA10O-
Once more that long standing disgrace to this VICINITY, the Hole.
m-thewan. looms up as an object Of contention, standing in the way Oh
contemplated improvements that, when completed, will involve tue
expenditure of a million and a half dollars. This time, however IN
state is the mos. interested party, the state highway system being
vitality affected.
Route Nc. a of the state highway system begins at Railway, where
ii connects with route NJ. ], and runs through the Amboys ito heypor'
am SO n TO the coast resorts to Atlantic City. This includes the
famous Ambov bridge which is such a drain on the taxpayers OF Mid
dIesex county and the People Of Perth AmbOy in particular. But 90
state highway is going to tolerate such a condition a is % De oun a
the Hole in the wall. Yet this is the only public highway leading from
the southern end Of the bridge. The other route is over the private
right of way of the Pennsylvania railroad which the railroad company
refuses to turn over to the public unless the Hole val Is ei"n
1ted. -
ago when an effort was being made to eliminate the hole the city
absolutely refused to listen to such a proposition even though TN ral
road company agreed to erect a bridge Tor the ue OF ue pe'pe !"
Mechanicsvle. :,
Then, however, it was largely a local agitation Today the whole
state is involved and the construction of the state highway with a mil
lion dollar bridge is at stake. Local luminosity toward IN reh"Sf
vania railroad cannot be allowed to stand in the way of such a deVei
opment. The owners Of a few pieces of property located near IN pres
ent Holein- the wall will not be permitted to hold up progress.
Mechanicsvnle will be well cared for by the overhead pfloge
which will be far more sanitary than the dark, damp foulsmellng
"hole' tina, is now used. As for the general public, the route through
across the Pennsylvania right of way. Everybody will be benefited
Perth Amboys interest in the improvement Is centered largely IL
the construction Of the new bridge. 1t Is not certain where this new
structure will be located. A survey will be made this summer to as
certain the most advantageous place. This is something that Perth
Naturally, if the state is going to spend a million dollars Q n new
structure it lis essential that the very best spot possible is selected. But
TO change the location means that the new approach must be provided
ON this side Of the river. Under present conditions it would be hard to
imagine a more suitable place than the foot of Sheridan street where
the present bridge Is located. 1t may be, however, that an effort will be
made to take the bridge further up the stream 1t can hardly dyn be moved
the War Department would hardly consent to the two draws beng
any nearer than they are at present +
But to move the bridge any further west would not only necessl-
late passing through valuable industrial property, but 1t would take
the hssise further out Of the city. Whatever is done, Perth Amb0y
Il deeply interested.
Right here is where a city plan comes in Where is tn. most de
sirable site for the bridge approach from the city . standpoint
Not that the city 8 rights and advantages are to receive first con.
ehov tho state HIGHWAY commission that there ere certain advantages
In having the bridges northern terminus at a particular point, and if
would be hard to find a reason why the city 8 suggestion should not b
carried out.
This state highway is going to be one Of the most important thor
o~ughfares in the whole United States Thousands Of people from all
parts Of the country WIN pas. over it every year Perth mteey wants
Il might be feasible to make a broad boulevard Of this highway where
L s' psrs 'a Wsrs locate. sIs along the S@ highway, Advertising " iins's t. t The T the elss
Ands Of strangers tho sttraciveness Of the place; II
How are we to know what is best for the city unless we have a city
pal developments that are desredi
proposes to spend $250,000 on the Improvement Of the Raritan river
pnd the government authorize. want to know what the city intends
to do in the way of docks and terminals to make this expenditure of
What IS the city going to dot
that means 1t vitality concerns every business man. every taxpayer,
Why should we go at these most important matters in a blind and
haphazard manneri If an Industrial concern were planning vast i'm
p pss"pmsnt and nd n a. expenditure apn d Of millions ni.. of dollars in a great at, de
Pave a carefully laid out plan prepared by the greatest expert in the
lte that could be obtanedf
Of course not.
Then why should a municipality allow these vast enterprises to
go on without a municipal plant
The time has come for action along this line. These things that are
under way by the federal government and the state will not wait on
Perth Amboy. This city must be reday when they come and the only
way to be ready so that the city can derive the fullest benefit is to have
. plan to work by.
Let us have 1t all mapped out from a cty's standpoint and then
build our city in accordance with the plan thus prepared SO that all
\ will combine to make a real metropolis.
A city plan is essential for our future progress and not the least
million dollar bridge across the Raritan river at this point as a part of
the great state highway system.
THE PRESIDENT RESTS HIS CASE
President Wilson, in the same breath, proclaims to the world, by