Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-04

or over Twenty -tve bridges were con-
tructed or under construction during
the year. involving cost OF approx
n.stely 100000 among which Ia
included the Appoquinimink bridge.
-puthwest Of Odessa, structure 2%0
feet long. the longest bridge yet con-
structed by the department and the firet
IN the State TO be founded on concrete |
piles.
Tho tsst laboratory. an important |
part OF our organization. kept step
with the large construction program
in progress during the year 1921. |
The maintenance OF laboratory en-
ablos the department to arrive at ac-
curate conclusions In regard to the
value OF various materials FOR road |
building PURPOSES and TO determine
definitely whether or not materials
submitted for use conform to the spec
incations. 1t makes possible rea-
sonably prompt decision as to the ac-
ceptability of materials submitted. II
is a protection TO the State against
possible claims by conractors OF In
erior or supposedly inferior materials
were rejected without being tested
The total expenditure for msintenance
81 the laboratory. equal to about three
o. nths of one per cent OF the cost of
construction Of roads is therefore well
Warranted. resulting az It does In the
use of good materials and In protec-
! don from certain claims.
! The total number Of tests made in
/ the laoratory during 1921 was approx
imately 450. with an average OF l2
specimens to a test. or "A total OF
5.400 tested specimens.
Following the policy adopted In
| 1918. this department has continued
to sec,.'e fee simple titles. in the
name of the State of Delaware, TO all
rights OF way for State Highways.
In general. a strip OF land 60 feet In
width has been secured, except for the
main north and south highway in New
Castle county. where a width of so
feet has been acquired, and on some
of the State aid roads where a width
OF 90 feet has been deemed sufficient.
In pursuance Of this policy the de-
partment. during the year 1921 has
secured options from 109 owners and
acquired fee simple titles To 1f0 prop
critics. at a cost of 6T.S9b.65. In ad-
dftion, l6 properties were secured by
condemnation at a cost Of s4S. .a9o.3b,
The department has continued with
good results its policy of instituting
condemnation suits In all cases where
, the property owner demanded compen
sation In excess of the actual value
, OF the land taken, plus reasonable
; damages. With one exception, the
, award OF the condemnation commits
sion has. been less than the amount
sked by the property. owner and sell
dom has the final award been in excess
of the original offer OF the department
Appeals have been taken by ths
property owners in 4 cases: In o
these the final award was within
, per cent OF the first finding. Pub
= lie hearings have been held in thes.
cases, the State presenting suflicien
, testimony to establish a fair basil
). for the award of damage. Much credi
is due the departments attorneys 70
|, the manner in which they have con
j. Quoted these cases. whereby the Stat
has been saved substantial amour
. and at the same time justice has beel
!. given the property owner.
Property owners throughout tn
. State have, In most instances, show
/. their appreciation Of the benefits O
- an improved State Highway Syster
and OF the work of the Highway DE
4 partment. A large number of owner
have conveyed rights of way free {
-. charge. and in most other cases tn
! damage has been only nominal. 7
these citizens the Department wishe
o' to extend its htanks for their courtes
rs and assistance.
2. Decline In Cost Of Work.
!, The more recent contracts made !
the year covered by this report ind
2, cate marked decline in the cost {
construction, which can he attribute
. ir part 10 the decrease in cost of labo
" materials. freight and the keen con
Al petition which existed among the cor
tractors desirous of doing work.
Delaware.
The bidding prices for the yea
A. 1921. have been from 10 per cent TO
IN per cent lower than those for 1872
Transportation, materials, and labC
- supply have been subject to no r,
se see striction. there being an abundance {
cars. materials and labor.
- The important item of labor has d.
n creased during the year from 45 CEN
\ To 80 cents in the northern county an
y from 80 cents To 20 cents in the low,
counties, The department is justifie
think, in expecting a further r.
duction in freight rates, and in II
r cost of materials for 1922, which W
permit of future construction at
4 less cost, or more miles for the none
The department carried over, fro
1920, uncompleted contracts amour
ing To 53.S miles. and during 49,
j awarded contracts for ia miles an
at the close OF our 1921 constructic
u season there remains but "A miles
uncompleted roadway under contrac
|. so that during the year there has bee
constructed SO per cent of the mileat
undertaken and SIS miles of improve
highways added TO our State Syster
| During 1921 the average contra
q price for l6-foot concrete roads VIZ
$4,000 per mile. or $4,000 mile le
4 than the average contract price fl
the same roads In 1920.
Ii is impossible to estimate exact
. for the year 1922 but a conservati'
estimate would allow for a is per Gel
4 reduction over 1921 prices.
Work of The Year.
Following is a statement of col
tracts under construction during 1872
Laurel Seaford, 4.91 miles; Seafor
4 Bridgeville. 6.6l miles: Bridgevil
y Greenwood. 3.55 miles; Farmingto
Z Harrington, $50 miles; Magnolia-D
4 rada artna *
miles; Harrington FELTON,. S.72 mile