Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-10-30
Mackall To Seek Legislative Help
For Widening OF Roads.

From the Baltimore Sun.
John N. Mackall. chairman OF the State
Roads Commission. is preparing to ask the
next General Assembly for authority to
revise and establish future road widths
with the particular view Of eventually
increasing the width Of the States thor
oushfares to 100 feet.
Mr.. Mackal made this announcement
in the nature of an answer to suggestions
that the State ought to consider the con-
struction Of an additional boulevard be-
tween Baltimore and Washington. His
plan is to provide for increased traffic by
enlarging existing roads rather than by
building new ones.
Gov. Richie. although not committed
definitely to the plan. has shown consider
able interest In II.
In explaining his proposal the roads
chairman said he believed 10 making ex-
listing roads wider rather than to under
take to build new ones, primarily because
Of community development along the
present routes. He also cited the tremen-
dous cost Of building entirely new arteries
as an argument in favor Of the enlarge
ment plan.
Mr.. Mackall will ask the Legislature for
an act similar to that in force In Penn
sylvania under which the highway depart
ment is authorized to establish new and
wider road limits and protect them against
buildings and similar impediments until
such time as the State is in position to
acquire the land and make the actual
enlargement
The Pennsylvania law. which has been
In effect two years, empowers the State
Highway Commissioner to establish the
width and lines Of any State highway and
provides that no landowner or tenant
shall erect any buildings or make any i'm :
provements within the limits of any State
highway after the width and lines have
been established and recorded. and IL such
improvements shall be made thereafter
no allowance will be made therefor by the
assessment Of damages"
II is the opinion of Mr.. Mackall that the
need for enlarged traffic arteries through
out the State lis upon u.s." Il Is a situation
that is growing more critical every day
and II is realized also. that II would be a
physical and financial impossibillty to
make all the necessary Improvements i'm
mediately.
Mr.. Mackall contends, however, that the
State should prepare for that eventual
development by drawing up its future road
lines and protecting them from encroach.
ment 90 that when actual work is possible
the land will be available for the purpose.
To do this. he points out. will cost the
State almost nothing IL ii takes the neces-
sary precautionary measures now. Delay,
however. means that building along the
roads will continue so that when finances
permit the enlargement program the State
will be faced with the proposition Of pay
ing large damage assessments because Of
the property il will be necessary to buy
and demolish.
The Legislature will be asked. therefore,
to sanction the preparation Of new map
Of rights Of way for State roads. in which
land will be reserved to increase the width
Of all trunk roads to 100 feet. These
plans, In turn. would be submitted to the
various county courts for record and the
State then could prohibit the erection Of
structures on these reservations under
penalty Of allowing no damage when the
time comes to raze such improvements.
Maryland's widest roads now are SO feet.
This width obtains on the York. Philadel-
phia and Reisterstown roads. and on GER
tain sections Of the Frederick and Liberty
roads. The Washington Boulevard is only
so feet wide. the Bel Air road has widths
varying from so to So feet and the An
napolis road is only SO feet in width.
Mr.. Mackall believes that eventually all
Of these roads will have to be increased
70 100 feet In width to accommodate traffic