Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-08-06
-
ROAD GOING TO PIECES


the patented bitulithic pavement
goes to pieces under heavy traffic is
to be found on the road between
this city and woodbridge. Going
down the hill toward the culvert
under the railroad leading to Maurer
the pavement has heaved up IN
great ridges, and ruts have been
formed by the vehicles so hat now
1t u dangerous to get out Of these
ruts- But even these ruts are being
filed with ave making the pass
age of that particular section any
thing but pleasant.
Again. at the foot Of the hill be-
fore the road leading into Spa
Spring there is another badly worn
spot Great holes have appeared
and are constantly growing worse.
So It is all the way TO Railway. the
pavement being in immediate need
of attention II IT is to be saved at
all.
The only salvation for this high
way was the closing of the bridge.
This has diverted the heaviest traffic
out the Lincoln Highway to Metuch-
en- and New Brunswick. Had traffic
continued on route No. 4 OF the
state highway system between Rah-
way and Perth Amboy as heavy as
It was just before the bridge was
closed the pavement would have
been completely worn out. AS 1t is,
the constant passing OF buses and
trucks between this city and Wood
bridge. together with the ordinary
automobile traffic IL playing hob
with the surface.
This pavement is Of comparative
ly recent date and 1t only goes TO
prove that It is not capable of stand
ing up under heavy traffic for any
length of time 1t was mbf vrcfl
length of time. 1t was because the
roads taken over by the state to
make up the state highway system
are the main arteries Of travel and
therefore must Withstand a great
deal of wear and tear, that the old
State Highway Commission adopted
concrete as the best material for
the paving service. Governor Ed
wards. however, has seen fit to in
ject politics into the state road sys-
tenn and there is reason to believe
that the future policy of the State
Highway Commission will be decid-
edly different
At least there should be a patrol
system on the various sections OF
the state roads. Every railroad has
section gangs working over its en-
tire roadbed all the time. If these
men did not keep constantly on the
job removing old ties, replacing
worn rails and Strengthening up the
ballast, trains would soon have to
stop running.
No railroad receives more wear
and tear than the main state high
ways under the present auto truck
trafic. II there were a gang Of
men for each section constantly
making repairs and 4eeping the
roadbed in shape, such condition.
as we now find on route No. 4 be-
tween this city and Railway would
not be possible. AS long as tn,
patented bitulithic material is going
to be used where trafic is so heavy
land there is every indication tina
the use Of this patented material i
going to become more common thar
ever before. judging from the polio,
OF the new State Highway Commits
ei0n) only a repair gang for ever,
cerfain number of miles of highwa
viii save the roads.
II Is foolish and extravagant I
build expensive roads and the
nexlsct them. allowing them TO be
come next to impossible before any
thing Is done toward fixing them VI
Ths present condition OF the stat
highway between this city an
Woodbridge can hardly be consider
- . Recommendation for the pa
ented pavement where trafnc
bsevy. and It Il : sewers indietmer