Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-27

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l. sylvania are paying for durable roads
is the occasional inconvenience to which
they are put when they travel the de-
tours made necessary by new construc-
ton.
Contractors are now at work on ap
proximately $50 projects in various por
tions of Pennsylvania. Each con-
struction project necessitates a detour.
These detours are of necessity over
roads which will bring the traveller back
to the main highway as quickly as pos
sible. In many instances these dctour-
ing thoroughfares are state highways,
but in the majority of cases they are
merely township roads-such roads as
were to be found everywhere in Penn
sylyania not so very many years ago.
THE ordinary township road is not
i capable of carrying modern trafic.
1t is usually an earth road. The pas :
sage of motortrucks of great weight
quickly cuts the thoroughfare to pieces.
After even a light rain the roadway is
deeply rutted. The continual passing
of trucks in these ruts creates Condi-
ton which arouses the ire Of the drivers
of all cars. They complain that the
maintain these detour roads as they
should be maintained.
As a matter of fact. the department
under the law may not spend money on
such highways. The upkeep Of these
township roads is a matter for the town
ship supervisors or the county authOri-
ties, whoN may aid the township super
visors with financial contributions il
they see iii.
THE inconvenience met by travellers
l. because of the scores of detours in
Pennsylvania can be Offset by patience.
1t is not possible to rebuild road and
use it at the same time. Typographical
conditions in Pennsylvania make it i'm
practicable to construct half of our new
roads at time. These things being
true. it follows that in order to secure
durable thoroughfares there must be
detOurs.
1t should be the aim of the township
and county authorities to assist the
state Highway Department in properly
caring for the immense traffic which is
using all Of the main thorOughfares in
Pennsylvania. The travelling public
itself considering the fact that the
commonwealth is at tremendous ex-
pense constructing system of main
roads which will be travelable $50 days
each year, should exercise patience.
THE state Highway Department each
i week bulletins the detourS which
have been established during that week.
From time 10 time it gives detailed in
formation concerning all of the detours
which will be found on particular trans
PENNSYLVANIA routes For example, it
will name the locations of detOurs be-
tween Erie and Harrisburg via Brook
willie and Iewistown. These bulletins
are mailed to thousand garages and
10 every daily newspaper III pcnnsyl-
vania. as well as To motor clubs. cham
hers OF commerce and similar organiga
tiOnS.
There is, therefore, no reason why
traveller over Pennsylvania roads need
begin a journey ignorant Of the detours
which he will encounter before he
reaches his destination. The depart
mpnt bulletins all Of this information
for the reason that it wishes TO give the
Traveller advance information as to what
he will find. And knowing that be-
tween certain towns he will encounter
certain detours, the traveller. the de-
partment believes, meets the inconveni-
ence in better frame Of mind than were
he 10 come unexpectedly upon the diff
cult going,
yTNHERE are very few directions 10
l. which a Pennsylvania traveller may
20 without encountering these detours.
This condition will exist not only during
the coming summer, but during the sum
mers of 1921 and 1922. Conditions this
summer. in 80 far as detours are con
cprned, VIII not be an Improvement over