Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-23

has in a large measure eliminated the
very dangerous condition that here
tofore existed. This improvement
has been completed with tho excep-
ton of the laying of the granolithic
sidewalk and the erection of a per-
manent guard railing on the eaterly
side of the walk. The total net cost
of this improvement to the city to
date Is $1S52.04 and when completed
will not exceed the appropriation of
$4,000 made for this purpose. The
total expense OF the erection and
maintenance of the sidewalk across
the cut over the Maine entral Rail-
road Company's tracks has been as
sumed by the Maine Central Rail-
road. and one half the expense of
the erection of the collision wall, re-
tanning wall and sidewalk has been
assumed by the fndroscoggin &
Kennebec Railway Company. Al
though much time was consumed in
procuring the necessary agreements
it has resulted in n very substantial
improvement at comparatively
small expense.
Sidewalk Construction
Probably no permanent improve
ment will be more generally appre-
ciated than the raising of the grade
and the construction of the grano-
lithic sidewalk on the southerly side
of Grove Street between East Cres-
cent and Swan Streets. This strip
of walk was so low that before the
improvement II was a veritab!e ditch.
at times useless and always insight
~. The Improvement has resulted in
a dry and beautiful walk. Apprecia-
ton for this improvement should be
given to the adjacent land owners
who heartily co-operated by waiv-
ing all damages which might be oc-
casioned them by the raising of the
walk. Fear of such damages I have
been Informed Is the reason why the
construction Of this much needed
Improvement has been so long de-
ferred.
A much needed Improvement was
the building of 900 lneal feet Of gra-
vel walk on the westerly side Of
lower State street. The construction
Of this walk necessitated a large
amount OF filling and the erection Of
a footbridge over Kennedy brook. In
addition $500 lineal feet Of concrete
sidewalk was built. including 1.O0s
feet on Child street. $40 feet on No.
Chestnut street. 23s feet on High
street and 234 feet on Capital street.
and about 1900 feet of gravel walk
of which COO feet was on Jackson
street.
A very substantial amount of gran
olithic sidewalk has been built in
conjunction with property owners.
In the past It has been the custom
for the city to bear one half the ex-
pense of any granolithic walk which
an abuttess desired to build without
regard to the condition OF the old
walk. The demand for granolithic
walks by abutters was so great in the
spring of 1928 that the continuance
of this custom would have resulted
In practically all of the money ap-
propriated for sidewalks being used
for this purpose. 1t did not seem
wise that the city should use its
sidewalk money to replace good
walks. Accordingly the rule was
adopted that the contribution made
by the city in such cases should de-
pend on the condition of the walk to
be replaced. in no instance exceeding
5000 Of the cost. Under this arrange
ment 954 lineal feet of granolithic
walks has been built.
Highway Construction
The most outstanding piece of
highway construction was on Bangor
street where 2soo iineal feet of BIZ