Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-27
WHY NOT TELL US ABOUT 1T;

WHY NOT TELL US ABOUT 1T?
Tt appears the general public Is
getting interested to learn more re-
specting the grounds on which was
based the decision to improve the
old. crooked highway between Bidde-
ford and North Kennebunk. While
in one way this has more immediate
concern to that part of the State 1t
nevertheless concerns all who have
[occasion to travel the road or who
wish others may travel 1t. The Sec
'tion in question is a portion OF the
trunk line uniting this with other
states. When this old route was laid
out the need of the communities
through which it passed, as COM
pared with out-of state travel, was
bigger factor in the proportion.
Today Maine greatly needs an ex-
rellent highway in that part OF YORK
County, the gateway to Maine FOR
the bulk Of insterstates travel. The
needs Of the years to come will be
even greater. 1t would seem I'M
wise to expend any considerable
money on that highway without do
ing SO in the light of these needs Is
this being done? We think not.
The Portland Press Herald, CON-
menting on the announcement that
decision had been made to improve
a G.3 mile section of the old crooked
road instead Of building for $4,000
less a new straight cut $50 miles In
length without discommoding traffic
and giving a better highway. calls 1t
a., costly and indefensible blunder
and now asks the Highway Commls-
sioners who approve the old route TO
give to the public their reasons for
the decision.
Under all the circumstances TINS
request is reasonable, and assuming
there are grounds for the decision IT
would seem that the two commits
sjoners. who favor this plan, would
be glad to do So
AS general proposition state
Highway Commission should not be
eypected to give over much~heed 10
popular clamor. 1t requires nttiH
imagination to comprehend how sys-
tenn, and the best results might
easily be sacrificed to popular clamo",
but this does not appear to be such
an instance If 1t is, the Commission
has opportunity to show wherein IL
is so. Unless they substantiate their
preference they should yield, as we
do not understand that the decision
is irrevocable; indeed there is re-
port that the Federal government,
this being a Federal Aid highway,
has not yet given approval.
Assuredly the general policy of the
Federal Government favors the
straight in place Of the crooked road;
likewise, that we understand to be
the policy in all modern road-build-
ing. Those who have had occasion
to pass over this road recently can
not fail to have been impressed by
certain features bearing on the case.
Considerable money is being spent
at the Kittery end on a cut off. The
right policy is being followed there.
This crooked stretch. which 1t Is pro-
posed to rebuild, is narrow, much
frequented by picnickers and all SEN
sible drivers slow down when driving
over 1t. Widening and Strengthening
It a little will invite greater speed
without removing much of the haz-
ard, Also the cost of a detour or OF
passing over the work while under
construction will be considerable and
cause grievous delays and discour-
agement, all summer long. to the
motoring public seeking Maine.
II 1t be found that the proposed
improvement would cost $4,000 more
than the new straight cut off, here
would be quite sum, which the
State, unless it turns the old high
way back to its original status of
supervision, might use in improving
It sufficiently to meet all the require
ments of local travel, as the heavy
araffic would pass over the direct
line.