New Britain herald., 1924-07-26
ON pIyERTING TRAFFIC


 II iss common practice to And fault with the manner in which the down down sections Of many cities have been "laid out" In reality the use of these words form a misnomer, as nine times out of ten. when such criticism Is justified. the complained of section was not laid out" at all but just happened to grow that way
 Whether New Britain's center and nearby streets were laid out following q comprehensive plan of the early settlers, or whether the street center was designated and the streets around 1t left to pick themselves out of the landscape, is matter that Is not worth discussing at this late day. The fact is we find them as they are and will have to make the best of it.
 New Britain is suffering from the same ailment as Hartford and other cities plnched by serious downtown traffic conditions. It is apparent that there are not enough main thorough fares for the use of automobiles from various sections of the city: in going west from the center virtually all autos take West Main street; in going north or south from the center there appears to be no alternative than to use Main street. In going east there Is chance for selecting several routes.
 Too much traffic between various sections of the city is compelled to find it's way past the center. which naturally adds to the congestion.
 When it is realized that the city is ,n a fair way to continue growing ra apiuly, ind that the total of automo- piles will increase oven more rapidly ii ia clear that our traffic problems will increase with the years. What Is to bs done about 1t is something to worry ahout. and some time, when the city approaches the 100000 population mark or goes beyond, something radl- cal will have to be proposed and exc cuted, as has been the case in various other cities which have been confront- ed with similar problems.
 Incidentally the solving Of such problems along radical lines. such as tHe opening or widening of streets, Will cost much money, as many another city has learned.
 The city right now needs more or what are known as inlets and outlets Too much traffic is being concentrated mon a few streets. These streets at present are the logical and most con- yenient thoroughfares for traffic ana likewise are the most direct and best paved. Motorists naturally gyrate mon these routes and will continue to do so until alternate routes are made equally attractive
 How to provide such alternate routes ,n New Britain is believed more or problem than the same thing IS ID Hartford. Virtually all motorists nave thought of possible improvements but opinions vary considerably, In addi- t,on. nothing of moment has been at- tempted so far and traffic continues 10 increase in the very heart of the city to such an extent that it eventually will become the despair of the traihc officials.
 The attempt of the city government ! to improve street conditions sufflcent- ,y to lure traffic coming from the d. yection of Hartford to reach downtown l sections through Elm street, instead or , ,,rough Hartford avenue, is begin | ming that offers possibilities. The plan looks particularly attractive OF the man. in fact. Elm street appears 10 he the shortest of all routes from this direction; but at the point where auto- 
 i4s coming to the city could take the Elm street route they arc inclined to follow the more travelled street and ,o And themselves in the vortex Of more crowded thoroughfare. The way to break the habit is 10 have Inc aI- terpate route as well paved and as at- ,ractive as the hsbitual route. and the city administration has done well in making a beginning in this direc- ton.
 Ii is evident that travel out West Main street would not he at it's present height n there were an alternate route. even If 1t were little longer. This Is something that needs study.
 It has been found that the snrest way to attract traffic to less favored streets is to provide good pavements. The average suteist will go out Of ms way to ride on . well paved highway