The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-10
DISTRICT OF OLD SPANISH
TRAIL BEING BUILT UP SAYS AYRES
viii Apply the Western Principle in
This District; Work Pro-
ceeds on Projects.

Active efforts win be put forth this
year to build up conditions on the Old
Spanish Trail from Jacksonville to
New Orleans, is the announcement OF
II. B. Ayres, the managing director,
now making headquarters at Mobile.
I'VE plan to make MOBILIZE the head
| quarters for the eastern district" Mr..
Ayres states. I'VE understand fully
what big lot of work is to be done
hut II by cooperation and frequent
visits back and forth along this Sec
| ton we can get improvements under
way then we can advance fly years
the time when traffic will flow as free
" as it already is flowing in the west"
Mr.. Ayres calls attention to the fact
that Florida is making fine progress
on her four big bridges and that the
carrying of the 100000 bond issue
in Alabama opens the door for Mobile
to get Mobile bay bridged. The civic
organizations of Mobile viii have
definite plans for the highway COM
ruary goth and those plans will not
only embrace the interests of the Old
Spanish Trail across Alabama includ-
ing the bay, but the interests of the
whole district.
I'VE must begin to think of this Old
Spanish Trail project by districts"
Mr.. Ayres states. 1--WE have been
thinking of only the local county sit
uation now since the first start in 1915
and there are still many counties that
won't he ready, If we don't get busy,
when the bridges and other big con-
struction are completed"
BY organization and helpfulness, by
marking the highway, by fostering
tourist parks and other community
Inequalities, by improving ferry serv-
ice, the o. S. Il. can be ready for con-
siderable traffic by fall, Mr.. Ayres be-
lieves. This is the policy that has ac-
complished so much in the west.
Florida is making fine Roadway on
her four big waterway projects. The
bridge at Milton is finished. It in
volved some of the deepest bridge
foundations in the world, the cement
Is 40 feet below water level. and the
pilirg reach % feet below the cement.
The Apalachicola bridge will be
opened in April. When approaches
are finished that win he $500 feet. 1t
is cIassed by engineers as a 'monu-
mental structure"
The Choctawhatchee bridge work
is under contract. That, including ap-
proaches, will 5000 feet.
Escambia Bay, three miles, is about
ready for work to begin. Engineers
have spent six months gathering data
for the foundations. s250,000 federal
aid was recently allowed, and $250,000
of additional aid is promised for 1928
for the bridge and highway.
Between Florida and Alabama, over
the Perdtdo river. the bridge is built.
Mr.. Ayres has given a month of his
time helping on the Mobile bay bridge
problems. He expresses confidence
the civic organizations and the Ala
bama highway department will find
practicable plan for immediate and
progressive work, and that now all
counties between Jacksonville and
New Orleans should be organizing to
deliver their part of the highway.
The marsh section through Louis
lana to New Orleans is now a part of
the new Louisiana state program. 1t
is che plan OF the Old Spanish Trail
to get every big barrier in the eastern
district into construction this year If
possible.