The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1922-12-21
ENGINEERS WORKING ON
HISTORIC NORTHWEST PIKE
Of IT'S Miles In West Virginia,
Only so Miles Remain To
Be Improved.

With the definite purpose IN view OF
getting all sections of the Northwest
ern Turnpike under contract for con-
struction at the earliest possible date,
the State Roads Commission of West
Virginia has field parties at work on
the last stretch in the State, which IS
located in Preston and Taylor coun-
ties. The Commission hopes, within
a short time, to have data in hand
which will eventually be worked into
bids for improvement, according to
W. S. Downs. division road engineer
in charge of the State Road Commits
sion work in the northern district Of
the State, whose Offices are located at
MorgantOWn.
Two parties of engineers are now at
work in Preston county, and from
there will go to Taylor county to COM
plete their work. There is a stretch
of about 25 miles unimproved in Pres
ton county and about five miles in
Taylor county, it is understood.
The Northwestern Turnpike enters
West Virginia from Maryland at the
Offutt farm, near Red House and runs
thence west through Aurora. East
ward from the Gfutt farm the road
enters West Virginia after it crosses
the Potomac River at Gormania, W.
Va. From Aurora westward the road
passes through many important
points in West Virginia, touching the
cities of Grafton Clarksburg and
Parkersburg. Eastward from Gonna
MIA the road runs through the Valley
of Virginia, touching Winchester and
other points Of interest to the tour
list.
About 175 miles of the pike are in
West Virginia, and, according to the
estimate Of engineers, more than 125
miles of the route has been improved.
The State Road Commission is now
engaged in launching a Federal-aid
project for ~ miles Of the pike from
the Maryland end, which will run
through Aurora toward Cheat River.
All other stretches. except those in
Preston and Taylor counties, are
either under contract or have been au-
thorized, which means, it is pointed
out, that within a comparatively short
time there will be a completely i'm
proved stretch through the State
marking this historic route.
Much interest is being manifested in
the letting of contracts en- fourteen
projects a short time These prof.
ects, most Of which are for grading,
include about l25 miles of road, and
the estimated bids will approximate
$1,0C0,0O0. Early in January bids will
be opened, it is stated, for a major
part Of the surfacing of these projects
and thus will continue the broad and
comprehensive system of road i'm
provement outlined by the State Road
Commission. Practically all of these
contracts are for roads in southern
parts of the State
The present plan of the State Roads
Commission and those interested in a
continuance Of the road program is to
ask the next Legislature for another
substantial appropriation for road
work in the form for an authorization
for the issuance of $15,000O,OGO to
$40 100000 in road bonds, according to
statements from well informed circles.
1t is pointed out that with the $15,-
100000 appropriated following the
passage OF the good-roads measure
wonderful progress has been made.
The two through highways, east and
west and north and south, are now
realities in the broader sense and "a
side from unfinished work here and
there, have been carried through on
schedule and as planned.
With anothrr substantial AUTHORIZE
ton of bonds it is hoped to further
continue the work as planned.
We can say that West Virginia now
has a road SYSTEM" stated one of
the division engineers, "and we hope
to be able to continue to imRove and
extend it by timely appropriations"
According to figures shown, the in
terest on the first $l5,000,000 appro-
priation is being well taken care of
through automobile licenses, and it is
believed that revenues from motorists
will also take care Of an additional
authorization by the income Legisla-
ture.