Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-06-02
R o BAD TO R

$40
- There ri detours and then there are detours; those who
travel New Jersey roads have become accustomed to some pretty
rough going, but we doubt if there has ever been anything like
the detour that has been established in the northern section Of this
city while the Anboy avenue paving is going on. Brace avenue
A is bad enough; the Amboy avenue detour is impossible The people
New Jersey who ride in automobiles, and that includes pretty
nearly everybody, have become so accustomed to being shifted on
the main highways into primitive country lanes and back streets
and alleys in cities, that they are surprised and delighted when the
find a road that is in good shape for its entire length
- But as accustomed to detours as they are, the experience in
negotiating the tortuous path through the northwestern section
of this ciy will never be forgotten once it has been successfully
accomplished Brace avenue is bad enough as a detour, but it is
smooth and pleasant going compared to the nightmare that serves
as a detour for Amboy avenue.
Not only is the road in horrible shape, but autoists complain
3 of children hopping on cars and pounding on the back of the auto
mobile as it creeps gingerly over the voeaniclike upheavals in the
roadway. A little more police protection would help this situation
considerably. Then, for the sake of everybody, let's get that de-
81 tour in pasable condition. Treat it as an emergency job, just
as the removal of snow in winter is treated. Hire a contractor
viii a big gang of men and go to it. But what a pity all this was
not foreseen, as it should have been knowing that Amboy avenue
was to be torn up, and the detour put in shape before the traffic
was upon it.
1t certainly in an awful mess that the city has got into, and
we will be a long time getting over it. To thousands of tourists
the name Perth Amboy will be anathema. Heroic action is neces
sary if the city is to have any reputation left.
When the work starts on Sheridan street conditions will be
worse than ever. Why not begin now to fix up a suitable detour
for Sheridan street before it is necessary to close that street to
traffic, and have it in good condition when t is time to use it,
Surely the city ought to profit a little by the experience of New
Brunswick avenue and Amboy avenue.
Incidentally, why cannot a sign be placed at Main street.
Woodbridge, and at Washington street, this city, notifying the
antobts that the road between Perth AmbOy and Woodbridge is
under construction and recommending a detour by way of State
street and Sewaren7 Such a detour might at least be used while
the Inslee s~treet-Alpine street detour is being put in passable shape
But any driver who realizes what he is up against in trying to
negotiate the Amboy avenue route would be glad to know Of an
other way around. Unfortunately, State street is partly torn up
too, and only one car can pass at a time in getting on and off the
creek bridge. This would be very annoying if the traffic should be-
.come heavy in both directions. However, almost anything is better
than Amboy avenue and its detour.
When every approach to the city IS torn up at one time con-
ditions are about as bad as they can be. Responsibility as far as
lit can be placed under our complicated form of government, rests
primarily with the street commissioner and the chairman OF the
street committee of the Board of Aldermen. If the street de-
partment has not funds enough to meet this emergency, which it
decidedly is, an appeal ought to be made to the Board of Aldermen
fer a special appropriation to do the work.