Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-02-01
Pubic ROAD WORK IN
Continued From Pare l

Surveys were extended for the
proper location OF section s. between
Pixies Creek and Newark. and the
various property owners approached
In regrda to right-of-way through
their respective properties. AS 1t was
impossible to secure any continuous
stretch OF right-of-way through mutual
agreement condemnation proceedings
were instituted through the Court or
General Sessions. Unusually high de-
mands (aS much as s25o0 per acre)
were made for property damaged. ana
each owner had his own ideas as To
the proper location OF the highway.
After considering the many trial
routes on other portions or the road,
the condemnation commission connncu
It's attention to selecting one or two
routes. tho main difference between
these being their alignment with re-
spect to the properties of Wollaston
Cochran and Little Mt Pixies Creek.
The ono more nearly straight was
designated as Route No. !. Route
No. 2. with reverse curves around the
grades on each side of Pixies Creek.
was apparently the route favored by
most OF the adjacent property holders.
The Commission finally decided that
travelling puhlic) would be most fully
served were Route selected. They
then gave consideration to the values
demanded by the owners affected by
this selection, and although they real
lied that these values placed by tho
owners were far above the actual
damages. they I'm n measure met these
demands. with the hope that n COM
promise might effect an early settle
nent tho cost of which would be fully
warranted through benefits accruing
20 the public. were construction per-
rnitted TO proceed. The property
holders however have held out for
their full demands and taken an appeal
from the return OF the Commission.
They have also filed petitions with the
hope of invalidating tho whole pro-
ceedlngs on legal technicalities. De-
cision In regard to these Ia still pend
ing.
The delays incident to the proceed
snEs of the condemnation commission
serve TO emphas size the handicaps of
the present county condemnation laws.
Through these laws we are required
TO complete negotiations with tho
property holders I'm full, before conf
rnencinE construction infringing upon
the land: thus we are tied and the
public in general suffers while legal
steps are I'm progress.
Under the state condemnation law.
following tho return Of one conden-
nation commission. construction is per-
rnitted 10 proceed. Unfair comparison
OF progress by State and county In
where condemnation Is
involved, results in handicaps of the
present county law II would there
seem proper that uniform act for
state and county condemnation be
passed.
Taylor's Bridge Road.
In 1908 five miles of road between
Landing and Taylor's
Bridge were constructed and remained
isolated from the general improved
road system Of the county. During
this wear. construction of two and a
half miles of road shortening the gap
between Tayior's Bridge and tho i'm
proved roads at Fieldsboro were placed
under contract.
I should recommend that the re-
stretch Of one and a quarter
miles 10 connect this construction and
the new State Highway at Fieldsboro.
be placed under contract during the
coming season.
Methods and results of maintenance
Of the improved roads during the last
two years show a distinct advancement. |
Tho closing OF successive stretches Of
main highway. due to state and county
(nlost Of which roads were
previously improved roads on which
traffic had so changed as to render
their type OF construction too light. !
failure resulting) has had big infu-
enoe on the maintenance Of other main |
roads and by-roads. But in spite Of
lhe consequent spreading Of main line |
heavy traffic. our system as a whole |
10, / believe. in better shape than at
any time since transportation by truck |
DeEan.
During last winter a snow removal |
program was carried out on 40 miles |
1f stone road as part Of maintenance. |
We feel that the expenditure, besides |
the users at that period. |
saved many times its amount IN elirni- |
mating damages which otherwise the !
roads would have suffered. The traffic, !
Instead Of pushing through a slush /
under which the softened road would |
nave failed. was carried on a dry and /
nard surface Some damage resulted |
.raric followed in single track /
through long drifts Of snow.
The maintenance organization made /
d rapid recovery of these frost boils
md breaks, and during the season has /
not only brought the roads back TO /
heir former condition. but has shown
/ betterment Of them.
During the last two years. SO per
cS he OF haA
her improved. but FIVE per cent Con
which normal or detoured traffic is too
Ievere for present type Of road have
ieteriorated and the remaining sixty
wo per cent have been held in the
same state of repair. The fact that
hese results have been accomplished
n face Of the diversion Of traffic from
many Of the main roads TO them fur
her qualities our system Of mainten-
nee and justifes its continuance.
Suggestions.
The responsibility for the mainten-
Ince and the repair OF river banks
protecting both public highways and
,rivafe properties, has for some time
,een perpleXing problem in the
minds Of the members OF the Levy
,ourt.
There are in existence various char
cred marsh or river bank companies
whose duties according to charter, are
o maintain in proper state OF repair
he various river banks and sluices for
he protection of the properties Of their
espective members. In these charters
% mention is made Of any RESPONSE
ility of the county for the banks and
luices. 1t has happened, however