Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-11
Wisdom is the abstract of the
past.-Oliver Wendell Holmes.
AUGUSTA TO BELFAST

The need Of a good road. linking
the central highway system with the
coast via Augusta to Belfast. was
foreseen a dozen years ago. I'm
doubtedly such a highway today
would be one of the most popular
and useful links in the States high
way system. Within the last year
we'll directed and earnest efforts
have been made to secure this link.
Success seemed to be near at hand.
The Commission told the proponents
that IL the bond issue should be
adopted this highway. inspected and
accepted by the State twelve years
ago as part of it's system, would be
among the first to receive considera-
tion.
A three million dollar bond issue,
in place of a proposed nine million
dollar issue for completing the State
system already planned, was adopt
ed by the Legislature. With this
money, we understand, the Commits
sion Is endeavoring to fill gaps on i'm
portant highways on which work
already is started. The Augusta to
Belfast highway apparently hash t
been altogether overlooked in the al
lotment of funds, as we understand
something like s150,00O has been set
aside. for this construction. Con-
struction already has been arranged
on two miles of the road in Belfast
and two miles in Belmont.
Assuming that this construction
would use up no more than half the
s150,000, and assuming further that
Federal aid could be obtained there
would be in the neighborhood of
$4,000 to be expended on the re-
mainder of this highway this year.
But the grades on the highway as
proposed are not acceptable to the
Federal authorities, who will no,
make grants on highways where the
grade exceeds seven per cent.
Here another feature intrudes and
insists on consideration, which
however. should not be permitted to
cause any neglect of the prime con-
sideration, namely, suitable high
way link connecting the cen&al sys-
tenn with the coast system by way
of Augusta to Belfast. Such con-
sideration as this demands should be
made without any delay. made with
a view to securing the best possible
highway.
A complication in the situation
arises from the fact that the
Federal authorities inspecting the
situation selected as the only route
to which they would accord Federal
aid one that leads from the top of
Malta Hill directly to Somerville.
This it is said, would be some seven
miles shorter than by way of the
route previously laid out. would be
satisfactory as to grade and In
other respects acceptable to the
Federal Government. 1t would not
pass as many dwellings. would not
Immediately SO we'll accommodate
some Of the people residing between
this city and the coast. but would
serve as a main thoroughfare which
might readily be tapped.
And here is another detail thrust
on consideration: the straight high
way to receive Federal aid would be
q hard-surfaced road, whereas. it is
said. the State road as at present
laid out would be built Of gravel
Those best acquainted with the
trend Of highway travel appear to
agree that such a link in the high
way system would receive such a
large volume Of travel as to demand
a. hard surface in the interests OF
economy as we'll as of traffic.
Evidently here are matters to be
considered. Convinced as we are
that this Is a very important link in
the States system of highways, that
1t would accommodate a large and
increasing traffic. we are impressed
by the urgency for it's early and
suitable completion. Moreover we
must not permit differences in views
to serve as even a pretext for delay.
Those who recall the manner IN
which Augustus high school build
ing problem was "ironed out" by CO.
operative effort may see in this need
Of some like endeavor. Having no
actively functioning board of trade,
the need Of such cooperative efforts
through organizations like the Ro-
tarians, the Kiwanis and others is
all the more impressive, as it be-
hooves Augusta to do what she may
toward the right solution.
The situation should be cleared up
right away. once for all. Delays are
dangerous, needs are urgent. It
would seem that another hearing be-
fore the Highway Commission Is to
BE- desired, that all may be heard,
that agreement may be reached, that
We may secure the building of a
highway. which viewed from the
standpoint of need should have been
built I'VE years ago.