Connecticut western news., 1922-08-17
NEW HOUSATONIC
 VALLEY HIGHWAY
Between New Milford and
 Canaan Written by Editor of News

In the August number of the "Motor" Magazine there appears an article on the Housatonic Valley trunk line between New Milford and Canaan written by the Editor of the Connecticut Western News, Albert w. Krouse, which we will publish in his absence as we know his modesty would prevent it's publication in the News were he on the job. The article has appropriate pictures of this picturesque valley which we are unable to reproduce.
 With the completion of the Hart ford-New London turnpike, the Highway Commissioner of Connec- ticut has turned his attention to the western part of the state. This section, particularly along the Housatonic River, has long been neglected so far as good roads are concerned, therefore motorists have missed seeing one of the most pie turesque sections of the Nutmeg state.
 A narrow, winding road, in some places little more than a cowpath, follows the river from New Milford north to Canaan, but is but little used on account of it's condition. The desire and apparent demand for an improved highway through this beautiful valley resulted in the for nation during the past year of the Housatonc Valley Highway Associa tion. Due to it's activities, as well as those of the Litchfeld County Auto mobile Club, sufficient pressure was brought to bear which now assures the construction of this road.
 The contract has been let for the first ten miles of this 35-nile high way and construction has been started. The first two miles will be constructed of trap rock and the remaining eight miles of concrete, at an estimated cost of $22,77O per mile, not including grading. As soon as the weather permits con struction. will commence at the upper or Canaan end and pushed to completion with expediency.
 Whether or not the remainder Of the highway will be constructed of concrete, the Highway Commissioner does not see fit to state at present. But as it will be a government aid road, the cost up to $40,0OO per mile being equally divided between the state and federal government, it would seem an opportune time to build with concrete, for the cost of maintenance per mile in this state is less than $50, while bituminous ma cadam is about one-third more.
 There is an abundance of good sand along the route which tests from 10% to 30@o in excess of re- quirements. There are also noun tains of stone, which has passed the French co-efficient test for hardness, strength and wearing qualities with four points to spare. Thus 1t will be seen that with the natural resources of the country being both available and desirable and with the greater permanency of concrete, there is but little against this form of construc- tion.
 Commissioner c. J. Bennett is authority for the statement that this states share for federal aid roads this year is $480, 0,897.98. This amount will be matched by the state, which with a few more thousands, will be spent in the Housatonic Val ley. Thus a shorter route to nor thern points, through a picturesque, wildly beautiful, virgin country, will become available. Furtherm ore. plan are already under way in the Fmpir" state to build a connecting link with the Hudson Valley road. from Was saic, N. Y, to Kent, Conn.,, which will divert much traffic over the upper portion of this new highway.
 From several different angles, the Housatonic Valley road will mean more to the state of Connecticut than any other piece of road built within it's borders during the past twenty years. The country through which it will pass, untouched except agriculturally, offers even greater opportunities than did the famous Naugatuck Valley, now the greatest manufacturing district of it's size in the country. Its benefit to the state and to motorists generally cannot be overestimated, while tourists will soon learn that it has opened to them a veritable paradise of scenic beauty and charm.