The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-05-06
ROAD WORK ON
WITH A BANG.
WORK BEGINS ON EACH OF THE
SEVENTY STATE TRUNK
ROUTES THIS WEEK.

trunk highways and make Minnesota
leader among good roads states.
| Charles M. Babcock, state highway
commissioner and author of the plan
made the announcement Friday f0l-
| lowing the first general conference
of engineers and superintendents.
Althoughnecessary laws were enacted
only 10 days ago, big working or
ganization in the maintenance depart
ment will start operations at once, he
said, and new construction is being
advanced as rapidly as the laws per-
nit.
Beginnings this week on each of
| the 70 state trunk routes-in every
locality from Luverne, Blue Earth
and Caledonia on the south to Hal
lock, International Falls and Grand
Marais on the north-were too num-
erous and scattered to make feasible
any inauguration ceremonies. So,
in spite of the history-making in the
launching of the Babcock plan, there
were no gold spades, ribbon-wound
bottles or brass bands.
Hundreds of shovels and picks
swinging on every state road, how
ever, will give evidence of the broad
impartial policy of the highway
department, it was stated, and the
rumble of heavy equipment on new
construction within the next ten days
will further attest the speed with
which Commissioner Babcock and his
staff are entering upon the great UNI
dertaking.
Minnesota has one trunk highway
plan. 1t is for a single state system,
regardless of county or other lines.
Divisions will be made only to fix
responsibility and to promote eff
cheney.
Maintenance comes first to pro-
vide good travel conditions on all
trunk roads," he continued. "Spec-
ial attention is given this year to es-
tablishment of high-class system of
highway patrol. The patrolmen-
one for each five or eight stretch
with full equipment-will put every
road in passable condition with assist
ance, wherever required, from dist
riot and floating gangs. The plan
will carry state work to every Sec
ton at the very beginning and every
motor vehicle taxpayer in the state
will begin to benefit from the start.
Permanent improvements and special
betterments will follow, according to
traffic and other demands in each
Individual case.
The department will aim for the
highest efficiency in every branch and
strive to merit public commentator.
1t always will welcome cooperation
and constructive criticism in connec-
ton with the big highway project"
The patrol system is the outstand-
ing feature of the general mainten-
ance scheme. Provisions are made
to not only fix responsibility but to
create friendly rivalry among super
intendents and patrolmen. The lib
eral allowance of $3,00O,000 a year
for maintenance is expected to in
sure public satisfaction with copdit-
ions on every mile of the state sys-
tenn.
Division engineers are C. A. Forbes
R. K Bliler,yAD. W. Webster, w. E.
Matters, W. P. Chapman, C. L. Meth
ven, c. L. Motl and A. L. Flygare.
Commissioner Babcock made the APP
pointments and they became effective
| this week.
Work on the Miller Trunk high
way TO complete grading this con-
struction season is in full swing
according to R. w. Robinson, con-
struction engineer for s. J. Groves &
Sons company, contractors, with nine
road camps working with full crews
totalling $50 men. A number of
subcontractors with teams are also
employed which brings the total num-
Der OF men now working on the Miller
Trunk road to more than 500. The
company has six steam shovels and
two elevating graders on the job.
The grading of the EveIeth end
of the road on which the county is
now advertising for paving bids on a
seven and one-quarter mile stretch
IS practically complete to Central
Lakes. The crews will be gradually
increased and the road will be ready
for paving before the construction
season is over said Mr.. Robinson.
Paving will be carried on as fast
as the sub-grade construction war
rants, said r. w. Acton, county engi-
neer. A year is usually allowed for
the settlement of the sub-grade.
Legislative delay retarded state high
way work, fofr county responsibilities
terminated Jan. l. The Miller Trunk
is state highway and the county and
state highway commissioner are work
ing together to proceed as fast as
possible to make up for the unavoid-
able loss of time it is stated. The
state highway department proposes
to issue bulletins during the tourist
season of the road conditions and