The Penn's Grove record., 1920-10-08
Highway Department Estimates
$4,000, 900 Must Be Spent
to Replace and Repair
Bridges
HUDSON TUNNEL CEREMONIES
State Board of Taxation Explains
Exemption of Assessments Under
New Law-TO Reds
trict State

AAoA VAOpONOyONO
Will have to be spent eventually to
Drlng the bridges connecting the high
ways up to the proper standard set by
the state for this phase of the road
construction program for the ensuing
SIN years, was the declaration made
by the State Highway Department in
a communication TO Governor Ed
wards.
In urging the governor to impress
upon the next session the necessity for
adequate bridge improvements, so that
there may be nothing lacking to per-
feet the highway system, the commits
sion declares that unless ample tinan-
cial provision is made for improve
ments much of the value of tie sys-
TEN will be impaired.
The commission points out that more
than 100000 will be necessary if
there is to be prompt construction of
seven new bridges to replace struc-
lures which have come to the state in
a deplorable condition from the coun-
ties. This work, the commission odds.
should be done in the next three years.
The commission further recites that in
the neighborhood of $4,000, 600 for re-
pairs are needed on 200 of the 600
bridges on the highway system, and if
the present program of the state is to
be carried out $12,0 100000 will have to
be spent to replace a number of the
bridges.
In its letter to the governor the COM
mission adds:
1--WE would respectfully urge, there
fore. that consideration be given by
the next legislature to the proposition
for bonding the state, with the ap-
prevail of the people at a referendum,
for an amount equal to put the bridges
In proper condition to meet the traffic
on u highways.
"In this connection, may we invite
your attention to a report by State
Highway Engineer Thomas J. Wasser,
just submitted, based on data collected
by Charles A. Mead. department engi-
neer of bridges, which carries infor-
nation In detail as to the situation re-
speeding the bridges. We would par
ticularly call the attention of your eX-
cellency to the seven structures which
Mr.. Mead characterizes as important
locations needing immediate attention,
to use his words: AS a matter of ur-
gency.' Following are the seven struc-
lures:
"Raritan river bridge at Perth Am
boy Matawan creek, Monmouth coun-
ty; Cooper's bridge over Navesink riv-
er, Monmouth county; Manasquan
bridge, touching Monmouth and Ocean
counties; Shark river bridge, Mon
mouth county; Pine Brook bridge. Nor
ris county; Bedminster bridge, over
the north branch of the Raritan river
in Somerset county. The Pine Brook
structure is on route No. II and the
Bedminster on route No. 16. All the
others are important links of route No.
4. which runs from Railway to Abse-
con.
"These bridges are in such cOndi-
tion that regardless of what Is to be
done as to their permanent replace
ment the sum Of not less than S315.-
coo must be provided for the repairs
to keep them in passable condition
pending the availability of adequate
funds to meet the permanent construc-
ton plans which MIR. Mead has out
lined for them in his report.
ga survey has also shown that i'm
mediate repairs are needed for 200 of
the GOO bridges on the various state
highway routes. These repairs are for
the purpose of providing light bridges
of a temporary nature until new ones
of lasting type are built. 1t is estimat-
ed that 100000 will be required for
these minor improvements. To take
care of incidental repairs not definite
ly foreseen at this time, another item
of 100000 should be provided, max
ing in all S6,000,000 for urgent repairs
and rebuilding the bridges mentioned
before within the next three years.
at is our view that this work can
not be ignored If traffic is to be main
tanned on the highways. Even if the
amount above mentioned is provided,
1t will not contribute anything for the
rebuilding of other bridges not emu
merated in the foregoing, but which
examination has indicated are below
the states standard and the require
ments of modern highway traffic. 1t
is estimated that this additional work
will mean a further outlay of approx
imately So. 10000 for new construc-
ton alone, if the present program of
the state is adhered to. Adding the
cost of building new bridges in the
seven urgent cases already recited and
repairing another 200 throughout the
state means that the sum of $1S.-
O0O.OO will have to be provided even
tually to build highway bridges ade-
uuate to meet the demands of the pres
ent traffic and to form fitting links In
the state highway system. These es-
Inmates are based upon present day
costs.
Hudson Tunnel Ceremonies.
New Jersey will be represented at
the ceremonies to be held in New York
on Octoher 10 In connection with the