Evening journal., 1921-04-20
RURAL ROAD
SIDEWALKS
SUGGESTED

(Continued from First Page)
on at least one side OF the fol-
lowing streets;
1-Pennsylvania avenue from
Union street TO the city limits.
Concord pike from Boule-
ward to the city limits.
3-Market street from city
limits southwark"
II was felt that II there were
a continuous sidewalk with curb
ing on one side at least OF these
important thoroughfares, there
would be far less likelihood of
automobiles encroaching on that
part OF the thoroughfare which
belongs properly to pedestrians
or of pedestrians walking on
that part OF the road surface
which should be reserved for We
hicles, except at crossings. There
is no reason to doubt that there
would have been fewer accidents
TO pedestrians on these thor
oughfares in the immediate past
had sidewalks been properly in
stalled. Furthermore, we believe
that in a city of the size Of VIII
mington, these main arteries
should be as complete in their
provision for pedestrian traffic
as in their provision for vehicu-
lar traffic.
We realize that sidewalks have
been partially laid on all these
thoroughfares but the gaps
should be filled up so that a pc
destrian need not go into the
roadway except in crossing in
tersecting streets. A request for
the extension OF sidewalks to
certain points outside the city
limits is being filed with the
State Highway Department.
The conditions about the b.
a o. r. r. bridge at Pennsyl-
vania avenue and Union street
are particularly bad. In the
morning and in the late after
noon. working people use Union
street and are forced to cross
PENNSYLVANIA avenue at a very
dangerous point During warm
weather there are numerous
children going to the Diamond
Ice Company's plant on Penn
. sylvania avenue and returning
with ice and these also cross this
dangerous intersection. While
there have not been a great mum
Der OF accidents here, conditions
will become worse as the mum
ber OF automobiles increase and
the provision of proper side
walks is a matter which should
receive the very careful consid-
Grafton OF the Board.
We are not aware how far
the Board has it within its
power 10 correct the lighting
along Pennsylvania avenue
from Union street to the city
limits. However. we desire TO
call your attention to II. The
present type OF arc lights instead
OF providing a general illumina-
tion, casts a restricted zone of
light beyond which the illum-
ination is practilly nil This
light zone actually masks the
remainder Of the roadway from
the automobile driver, with the
result that he IS not only blind
cd. but prevented from seeing
what is ahead Of him. AS far
as his safety is concerned, we
are Of the opinion that the pres.
ent lighting arrangement is $,
faulty as to produce condition
which are almost as dangerou
as II there We're no lights pres
ent. In our opinion the trou
bic could be corrected by IN
use Of another type Of refiectin
hood on the arc lights and POI
sibiy lowering the lights then
selves TO lower level. TT
matter. however, is one for n
recommendation by an illun
mating engineer or an expert
one Of the companies manufa
turing arc lights. We urge tn
the matter be taken up by yol
Board.
sAnothcr matter to which v
desire TO direct the attention {
the Board is that OF the pre-
,isior for vehicular traffic VI
mg the Newport Pike. We an
in receipt OF several and re
peatcd requests 70 bring abou
some action that viii improv
conditions in regard 20 safet