Milford chronicle., 1920-12-17
DELAWARE'S ROADS
GREATLY PRAISED
SAMUEL P. LEEDS WRITES IN TERMS OF
ADMIRATION AFTER INSPECTION
OF STATES HIGHWAYS.
GREAT IMPROVEMENT MADE
HE SAYS THE IMPROVEMENTS SINCE
1916 HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE;
LAUDS employees.

ceived much favorable comment re-
Gently and have made an exceeding
ly favorable impression on visitors
from other states. 1t is not until one
reads the expressions of admiration
for Delaware roads from other sources
that he realizes the decided improve
ments to the states highways made
within the last few years, and which
is continuing at the present time.
An article in the Official Publica-
tion of the Atlantic City Chamber of
/ Commerce" by Samuel p. Leeds, writ
ten after a recent trip of inspection
over the highways of Delaware, Mary
land and Pennsylvania, shows clearly
the wonderful strides made by the
state within the last few years.
The writer had made a previous
trip through the state in 1916, and
was surprised at the progress made
since then. In his article. he points
I to the conditions existing in 1916,
with the steep and dangerous roads.
which became practically impossible
under heavy traffic.
In comparison to this. the writer
said: To-day as one emerges from
the city of Wilmington he rides over
smooth. hillside brick payment.
The IL per cent grade of the famous
Penny Hill has been erased, and
traffic has but little difficulty in over
coming the 5 per cent grade which
now exists. This fine highway con-
tinues north approximately seven
miles to the Pennsylvania State line.
1t is constantly patrolled by motor po-
lice who not only regulate the speed
of passenger cars, but also keep un-
der control the loading of trucks. This
is the State Highway Departments
only brick surface. all of the balance
being of concrete, with the exception
of a few stretches being constructed
across marsh fills where what is
known as flexible" surfaces are be-
ing used.
Use Modern Methods
Directly south of Wilmington, af-
ter, crossing the Christiana marshes
where a road is being constructed on
Marsh consisting of approximately
from Is to 80 feet of low bearing ma
terial. we passed through more con-
struction and here noticed the mod
ern methods being used in concrete
road construction. The ingredients for
the concrete mixture are accurately
proportioned and loaded into batch
boxes at the freight station; these
boxes are hauled to the concrete mix
er some two or three miles away, and
by the use of a derrick are emptied
directly into the mixer. The concrete
is then deposited on the prepared sub
grade and shaped to the form of the
road by the use of a mechanical road I
finishing machine.
Proceeding to Townsend we observ-
ed one of the largest contracts in the /
state (ten miles in length, and the
contractors equipment is of such a
size as to complete this contract in
very short order. The particular fea-
ture of this contract is the fact that
the materials are unloaded by the
gravity system, and a carload of stone
can be unloaded in a few seconds. On
this contract bulk cement is being us
ed This makes a new step in con-
crete road construction in Delaware.
At this point also, all of the ingredi-
ents of the concrete are hauled to the
mixer by the use of dinkey
engine and train. The batch boxes are
taken from these trains and the con-
tents emptied into the concrete mix
ed by the use of derrick. These large
and up-to-date mechanical road build
ing plants are capable of turning out
great quantities of concrete in a short
space of time and they are now char
icteristic of Delaware's construction
N most every case.
Leaving this contract we rode over
he completed road between Smyrna
and Dover The wide right-of- way and
he carefully maintained shoulders
md bitches, and the smooth riding
luality of the concrete, were marked
eatures.
Visited Dover
At Dover we visited the main Office !
If the highway department and went J.
nto the details and records being
,ept. Not only were we shown how }.
very bit of material that entered 1
nto the state highways was being :,
ested, but how a complete check was y
made of all inspection. AT the main :
ffiee the enthusiasm ami interest eX- :
ressed by the various employees made /,
vident the reason for the success of :,
be Delaware highways "
After leaving Dover we followed a
hat is known as the du Pont road. u
portion of which is still under con- :,
ract. On the completed roadway :,
Outh of Dover one can ride for many -
lilies without feeling any rough road -
ay and the excellent riding qualities -
re Immediately noticed
AT Milford we reached the old sec "
on of the du Pont road. A ride over
lis highway reminds one of riding
trough a parkway. In some places
e trees along the roadside arch the th
'adway and the grape vines and ma af
ral flowers remind one of a stage h,
tting. This highway extends to the fo
ate line of Maryland, and what is ~
lown as the Mason and Dixon line. nc
ne of the old Mason and Dixon line bv
onuments remains on the road close m,
the extremity of the du Pont road.
On one of the detours we observ- m,
the Highway Department forces So
loothing the road with their 20-ton or
terpillar tractor hauling six-blade wi
raper and doing excellent work. On ri,
of the state highways police pa WI
u was in evidence and the ever is
esent maintenance men seemed to
ep the roadsides looking as neat MI
d trim as garden.
For Delaware It can be truly said
It the excellent character OF work
progress reflects the efforts of a rul
efficient and hard gel
rking Highway Department. ha-
rhe concrete highways in both Del Ch
are and Maryland, some in Mary ch;
ID which had been constructed as rer
back as 1912, have in every case TIL
titled their selection and construc- wit
a, for today they are still render sea