Putnam patriot., 1928-06-14
STATE AID ROAD
PROGRAM OUTLINED
Largest In History.-Macdon-
aid Plans Complete Second
airy Highway System

Construction or reconstruction OF
I1l2 miles Of Connecticut State Aid
Road will be begun under the state
aid appropriation for l92S-29 in adj
dition 10 the state highway depart
ment's most expansive trunk-line pro-
gram in history, according TO an an
nouncement made by Highway Com
missioner John A. Macdonald. Inc
state aid program is likewise the larg--
est ever planned in Connecticut and
before completion will involve the ex-
penditure Of more than two and
half million dollars in fifty-three
towns.
II is the intention Of the highway
idepartment TO continue like programs
Of state aid construction until sys-
tenn Of secondary roads akin TO the
state trunkline system has been COM
pletely developed under the state aid
act. The state aid roads will con-
meet with trunkline highways or other
improved roads or will end at toxin
lines on routes 10 be continued by adj
Joining towns. This is true in every
instance OF the work now starting.
In every case, the towns have signed
agreements by authority Of town vote
that they will apply their future pro
portions Of state aid funds to their
present projects until they are com
pleted and that they viii not ask Tor
expenditures on any other roads prior
to that time. This plan has met with
the unanimous approval and complete
cooperation eS the part Of the towns
taking part in the program.
Includes 112 Miles
Approximately eighty-seven miles
of new construction are included in
the program to be carried out by the
ffty-three towns under their state
aid appropriation for 1928 and 1923.
In addition to this, because OF the
fact that this new construction Will
invite an increase of traffic on GER
tain sections Of the existing state
aid system, it will be necessary to re-
construct about twenty-five miles OF
this road. bringing the total Of con-
struction and reconstruction 20 approx
limately 1f2 miles. All of the re-
construction work will be done solely
at the expense of the state.
Six Of the fifty-three towns under
taking work this year have adopted
the new stage of construction plan
devised by Commissioner Macdonald
and explained by him at county meet
ines attended by delegates from prac-
tically every town in the state last
fall. As its name implies. this plan
contemplates the construction of a
highway BY stages, one stage Of con-
struction being finished under one
wears appropriation and the work be-
ing completed under future appro-
ipriations. In other words. town may
use its l92S-1929 funds for the install
lation Of bridges. culverts, drainage
and sub-base. Under next years al
lotment, il may continue with the nee
essary grading and Improvement OF
the highway line, and in the following
year complete the entire work with
a surface of waterbound macadam,
the standard pavement for state aid
construction.
Greater Mileage
This system allows a town 20 spread
its state aid funds over a eonsidera-
Ebly greater mileage than would be
possible We're a years funds 70 be
used for the completion Of single
piece of paving. II also has the adj
vantage Of equalizing wear and tear
upon the pavement, inasmuch as the
entire surface will be of the same
age and will not consist Of many
sections of varying ages.
Two towns have elected to utilize
their current funds upon trunkiine
highways within their boundaries in
stead Of upon their own roads. in
order to complete their more heavily
travelled and more useful arteries of
traffic. In these cases. the highway
department is cooperating with the
towns and win expend SSs,000 from
trunkline funds TO assist them.
At the county meetings last fall.
Commissioner Macdonald offered TO
| land engineering assistance 10 any
town that might request il. This
offer has been accepted widely and
thirty-two towns have received adj
vice concerning questions Of highway
and street maintenance from W. +.
Hulse. Supervisor Of State Aid Con-
struction.
The contemplated construction for
the year is grouped in counties, Wind
ham county having four towns to re-
ceive state aid in a construction pro-
gram totalling as miles.