Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-10-10
NEW BRIDGE

Assurances given by John w. Herbert, chairman of the
State Highway Commission, that the new bridge across the
Raritan river between the Amboys would be built by the state
next year give a great deal of satisfaction to the people of this
vicinity. It is also gratifying to know that a new concrete road
is to be built at the south approach to the bridge leading into
South Amboy, ignoring the hole-in-the-wall entirely.
AS far as the bridge is concerned, a new structure would
have to be built next year whether the commission felt dis
posed to do so or not. if this highway is to be kept open. The
present bridge is almost entirely gone. 1t is beyond the mere
re-planking stage. The pilng have broken off in many places
and the supports have disappeared. The bridge Says now with
every load that passes over it. The most casual examination
shows how weak the structure is and it is quite apparent that
it could never stand another seasons use. 1t is a case of re-
building the bridge or closing it to travel. Now that the state
has taken it over as a part Of the state highway system it would
never do to have it abandoned. In fact, the thousands of auto
lists who use the bridge as the shortest and best route to the
coast resorts would not permit it to be abandoned. 1t goes
without saying that the county of Middlesex could not stand
the expense, so there is nothing left for the state to do but to
build the new bridge next year.
As for the road on the south side of The bridge, the route
chosen by the State Highway Commission is what is known as
The Pennsylvania right of way paralleling the trolley track
turning to the left shortly after crossing the bridge. This road
was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and is en-
tirely their property. The railroad has expressed a willingness
to turn the road over to the county or city provided that in ex-
change for the road the company is given permission to close.
the hoe-in-the-wal. Here is where the hitch has come in
The people of South Amboy and Mechanicsville have refused
to permit the hole to be closed. From latest accounts the
county and city authorities are still at loggerheads over the.
matter.
Mr.. Herbert stated yesterday, however, that the hole-in-
the-wall was no concern of the state and he spoke as if the state
0S'E0N III hCoo1O NIio1CfOl 1OSbidIbS NA 1O0tC ONiC Wv
for the state highway on the south side of the bridge. Either
The Pennsylvania railroad has agreed to give the right of way
TO the state for a highway or else the state proposes to take the
road whether the company is willing or not.
AS Mr.. Herbert spoke with much positiveness in regard to
The matter it must be taken for granted that he knows what he
is talking about and there need be no further concern as to the
ultimate outcome of the hole-in-the-W wall as far as the public
IN general is concerned. Once a route is provided whereby the
"hole' can be eliminated from the route through South Ambov
the public loses interest in whether the hole is closed or
not. Ii the people of South Amboy and Mechanicsville desire
TO wallow through the filthy place that is up to them. Let them
do it to their hearts content. 1t would appear, however, that
are following q short-sighted policy in not accepting the
srailread company's offer to build an overhead bridge for the
local traffic there and close the hole" entirely. 1t can never
be made anything but a hole and sunlight and fresh air is to
be preferred to the darkness and foul air that prevails in the
awful place and would continue to prevail even if the place
were widened.~
Mr.. Herberts assurances in regard to the bridge and the
approach ON the south shore certainly created an excellent i'm
preston among those who heard him yesterday. 1t was a happy
here to discuss this subject. We do not know of any subject that.
is more interesting to the people Of this vicinity. 1t was partic-
ularly fortunate in having Mr.. Herbert here for the opening of
the Chamber of Commerce forum as a new interest was at
once aroused in these meetings; men who are interested in the
advancement of this community will be glad to attend such
gatherings in order to be enlightened on matters of this kind