Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-09-08
ILLINOIS HIGHWAY FUTURE.

This is a question that comes not
only to all highway officials but to
all people generally who are inter.
estod in highway work. 1t arises
largely from present rail transporta-
ton conditions which prevent the nm
proving OF our system OF highways
as rapidly as anticipated when the
legislation was enacted, and when
the people approved the state wide
bond issue in November, 1918. 1t
was then expected that at least 500
to 1000 miles Of the 1880 miles in
cluded in the bond issue system
would be improved each year The
bond issue was approved November
s, 1918. The war was ended few
days later, which appeared to remove
the leading obstacle to a rapid prog
ress. 1t was not expected that in
the first year, 1919, the state would
reach a maximum Of improved mile
age, but it was expected that by 1920
the work would be in full progress
and the average mileage would be
reached
The conditions which now confront
road building and structural work Of
all kinds as well as every class Of
business, are familiar to everybody,
When these conditions will be re.
lieved is uncertain. Both cars and
locomotives must be built in order to
meet the traffic requirements This
cannot be done in few months, but
will undoubtedly require a number OF
years This all means that while We
cannot proceed with the Improvement
of this system of roads as rapidly as
we had anticipated we must put forth
every effort 10 carry on the work as
fast as the situation will permit 1t
also indicates the desirability Of Civ.
ing relief to the public thru the TAX.
ing over Of the entire state bond issue
system, including its earth roads, its
gravel and macadam roads for state
maintenance. Had we been able to
improve the system as rapidly as We
had hoped this would not have beer
necessary. but In order that the public
may receive the greatest benefit as
soon as possible ii appears that this
policy should now be adopted This
would involve tho thor0 grading. drag
Eing and il possible the oiling of the
earth roads. It would mean the re
surfacing Of the gravel and macadam
roads whore necessary,
This work should BIO carried on
through a patrol system each patrol
man being furnished with equipment
In the form OF trucks, graders and
drag5, and put in charge Of pa rol
district Of from twenty to thirty miles
depending upon the character of his
work, While much Of the work would
not be of permanent and lasting value
1t would bring the roads into better
alignment for the hard surfacina
which would come as rapidly as thu
situation would permit.
This work would be accompanied BY
the erection of markers and director.
signs Tor the convenience OF the tray
cling public It would require tho
final location Of ali the roads on the
bond issue system. OF the 1880 mile.
approximately 1000 miles have alread'
been located and we cXpec- the bal
anco OF the locations will be com
plcted within Il short period OF time
In addition to the maintenance o
the BOND issue system, the heavy grad
ing and bridge work could be carrie,
on both on the existing roads and OF
the relocations. This plan as applie
to tho bond issue system win rcouir
approval of the legislature, as no al
thority has been given or funds appr(
81, Il