The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-07-29
PLAN F0R 1921
ROAD WORK.
1850 MILES 70 BE IMPROVED
THE FIRST YEAR UNDER
BABcoCK PLAN.

Grading of 677 miles, gravel sur
facing of 458 miles and paving of
80 miles, Ia total of nearly 1900
miles, will represent permanent i'm
provements on Minnesota trunk high
ways during the first year under the
Babeoek plan, according to fore
cast this week by John H. Mullen,
assistant commissioner and chief
highway engineer
The preliminary figures are based
upon expectations that the usual
$2,840,000 federal 4 aid apportion-
ment will be made available this year
in Minnesota. Otherwise, the grad
ing may be reduced to about 500
miles, gravel surfacing to $50 miles
and paving to s65 miles, a 915 mile
total.
Mr. Mullen's forecast of new con-
struction does not take into account
the maintenance improvements for
which $3,000,000 has been set aside
this season to- spread immediate bene-
fits Of the Babcock plan to every mile
of the 1000 mile highway system.
The division includes more than
1,100 patrofmen now repairing and
smoothening trunk routes and is
counted ON to bring first general
benefits under the new highway de-
velopment program.
The new construction is scattered
in more than Is different sections
and when finished will make new
totals Of 2,176 miles of grading,
1879 miles of paving on the state
trunk system. It yill cost approxi-
mately $10,000,0O0, if carried
through without curtailment, and
will represent expenditures of
SIS, 000,0 of county reimbursement
bond money, $2,s40,OOO of federal
aid, and the balance of the motor
vehicle tax revenue after 5000, 600
is deducted and placed in the main
tenanee fund.
The highway department, as pre-
vious progress figures show, is speed
ing good roads work but is now
forced to await action by congress
on federal aid legislation.
The Minnesota tax on an auto
mobile about equals the price of a
good tire for the car licensed. The
tax revenue this year will yield ap-
proximately $5,500,000 to the trunk
highway fund. The benefit from
wise expenditure of that large sum
and other money for trunk highway
maintenance and improvements in
the state certainly is worth the price
OF one tire q season. It will add
fully rs per cent to the milage from
each OF the tires on his car. The
extra savings on upkeep, gasoline
and other items, and the comfort
and convenience of travel on good,
smooth roads, steadily getting
better, represent the car owners net
profit under the Babcock plan. So
the state motor vehicle tax is, in
fact, a profitable investment.
Open seasons for detours began
with vengence this year on Min
nesota trunk highways, said w. F.
Rosenwald, chief highway mainte-
nance engineer, st. Paul, urging
tourists to bear in mind that they
mean many sections of good roads
for years to come.
Traffic must be diverted to make
permanent road improvements. %
said Egineer Rosenwad. "The state
maintenance department is making
effort to keep detours in good condi-
ton, but that is not always possible.
especially where the detour throws
heavy traffic on light, dirt road.
Therefore, the philosophical way in
some instances is to anticipate the
better roads IN the making"
Detours are being marked by the