Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-02-15
MARKET ST. BRIDGE
IMPORTANT LINK IN
LINCOLN HIGHWAY
Bill Before the Legislature Con-
templates New Structure That
Will Stand the Strain.
1T CARRIES MUCH TRAFFIC

Much interest ts being taken. es-
pecially 10y the business interests Of
the city and others who have the future
development ~ Wilmington at heart IN
the bill pending before The General
Assembly authorizins loan for new
bridge NJ Market street over the
BRA andywine and there appears 20 he
q strong sentiment for the improve
ruent In fact il is generally admitted
that something viii have 10 he done.
The present bridge substantial when
il was erected, upwards of go years ago.
and strengthened from time 70 time.
was never built in contemplation or the
heavy traffic It now carries, while still
heavier traffic may vet be its lot. II
is also too narrow To take care OF the
real needs imposed upon H. Therefore.
il is a question ~ new bridge which
10 many 10 considered the economical
solution Of the problem or repairs
that would cost thousands Of dollars.
and that could only be temporary and
would have 70 give way 20 new bridge
later.
while there are demands for other
hridges over the Brandywine- and u
is admitted that something will have
10 be done n Eleventh street. either
in the form az renewal or extensive re-
pairs-Narket street seems 70 - the
real big undertaking Of prime import
ance AZ this time according % those
Who are familiar with the demands
placed upon the several bridges
Market street is part Of the Lincoln
Highway-part If the great trafhc
artery between the North and south
between New York. Philadelphia. Balu'
more and washington. part Of the road
used Tor military purposes, and part o.
The great highway that carries business
between the northern and southerT
cities Therefore. Market street bridge
is a link in this great highway. TINS
adds to the necessity Of having a bridG'
+ that will carry ali of the traffic that VII
20 over this highway, for II II is no.
provided, some Of his trafhc VIII Or
diverted away from Wilmington. which
will be wilmington's loss OF course
80 far as through freight over the road
+ Is concerned. this would not be serl
Gus item. but Il a detour should b
created for general traffic wilmington
would lose much of the business tha
comes to the city by virtue of touring
motorists. II would also lose prestige
in that il would cease to be on the malT
highway between the important cltie'
OF the Atlantic coass.
The importance OF having a throughl1
substantial Market street bridge doubt
less has strong appeal 70 the whol'
state-which the entire Legislature rep
resents-in that. IN addition 10 beinf
an important link in main trafhc roac
between New York and Washington
II is also q decidedly important linz be
tween the upper state line and lower
: Delaware being part Of the main stat'
road running from the northern end o
the state 10 the southern end. II - of
the direct route between Philadelphif
. and Delaware and Eastern shore towns
Incidental 70 this proposed improve
rnent, II would seem TO be the dutl
of the city. in the opinion III many Z
arrange for properly and substantial!
repaving mat portion Of Market stree
on both sides Of the bridge that IS nov
nothing but rough cobDiestore5 aCd u
bad shape at that.