The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-11-12

in Washington, the state Of Vermont has
a total highway mileage of 14,249. one
seventh of which is 99143, which would
under the act be the mileage of the states
highway system to be designated by the
Vermont authorities.
The ait goes on further to stipulate:
"Highways which may receive federal
aid shall be divided into two classes, one
OF which shall be known as primary or
interstate highways, and shall not eX-
coed three SeventhS of the total mileage
which may receive federal aid, and the
other which shall connect or correlate
herewith and be known as secondary or
iutercounty highways, and shall consist
of the remainder Of the mileage which
may receive federal aid
Upon the basis of 997 .43 miles as per
cent of the states total mileage. this
division gives Vermont total of 42747
miles of primary or interstate highways.
and 5699G miles of secondary or inter
county highways. ia sai
Joint Agreement Necessary. s...* -
There is a further provision in the act
! that prevents the expenditure of more
then go per cent Of all federal aid allot-
ted to any state upon the primary or in
terStatc highways until provision has
been made for the improvement of the
entire system of such highways, except
by Joint agreement between the state
Highway department and the secretary of
agriculture. This feature makes it prac-
tlCaIty essential that the improvements of
/ both the primary and the secondary high
ways be carried along together.
With a view of taking the control of
road work out OF the hands of country au-
th0ritRS which in some sections have dom
mated the improvements greatly TO the
detriment of efforts TO establish definite
state highway SYSTEMS, the act Stipulates
that: Before any project shall be ap-
proved by the secretary Of agriculture
/ for any state such state shall make pro-
visions for state funds required each wear
of such states by this abfHor construction.
TeconstFuction ANA goraanntenanceaSto G all
fedcral-aid highways within the state,
1 which funds shall be undcr the direct con
/ troll of the state highway department"
Roads Must BE Durable
Duraiae roads calculated to meet all
present. and future needs must be the
kind of highways constructed aunder the
act. which requires
That only such durable types of sur
! face and kinds Of materials shall be
adopted for the construction and recon
Struction of any highway which is a part
Of the primary or interstate and second
airy or intercOunty systems as will ade-
, Quately meet the existing and probable
! future traffic needs and conditions
! thereon. and the secretary of agricul-
/ ture shall approve the types Of construc-
! ton. maintenance etc. etc.
/ 1t is provided also that All highways
. IN the primary or interstate system CON
/ structed after the passage of this act
/ shall have a right Of way of ample width
/ and a wearing surface of an adequate
width shall not be less than Is feet I'M
! less, In the opinion of the secretary of ag-
/ Bculture. il is rendered impracticable by
| physical conditions. excessive costs, prob
| able traffic requirements. or legal oh
| staclCS"
| Proper Maintenance
| Emphasis is laid upon the need for
| nropCr maintenance of the federal-aid
| highways, and an entirely new feature
! which the act contains Is a penalty for
| failure in this respect. Here it is:
| That should any state fail to maintain
any highway within its boundaries after
construction or reconstruction under the
provisions of this act. the secretary of
Z agriculture shall then serve notice upon
/ the state highway department Of that
! fact, and if within 90 days after receipt
of such notice said highway has not been
, placed in proper condition Of mainten-
ance the secretary of agriculture shall
proceed Immediately to have such high
way placed in a proper condition of main
tenance and charge the cost thereof
against the federal funds allotted to such
state, and shall refuse to approve any
other project i'm such state" unless the
state reimburSes the federal government
for such outlay for maintenance"