New Britain herald., 1929-07-18
X THOROUGH JOB AT BLACK ROCK

in repairing the Black Rock bridge
 is in striking contrast to the years ot
 neglect Considering that the bridge
 will be closed to traffic for about two weeks, necessitating a detour Of a fairly extensive nature. will bring
 this repair job 10 the forceful at tention of the myriads Of motorists
 who provide a steady stream of
 travel between New Britain and
 points west via the PlainVille road. When an autoist is forced to detour he cannot help making a mental note that something important is go- ing on. The repair of this bridge is the most important thing that has struck the West End for some time.
 This extensive repair work started from the moment Mayor Paonessa made a personal visit to the bridge and noted that complaints which had reached him were scarcely eX- aggerated. It had always been a mystery in the West End why the board of public works never paid much attention 10 the Black Rock bridge. True a few years ago blanks were put down in the bridge; but anyone realizing the amount Of travel that crosses the structure could have forecast that the blanks would soon be loose and worn. The blanks have been Tapping for some time now. making a racket that could be heard for nearly half a block each time an automobile cross ed the structure.
 The first act was to paint the wooden raiings a pure white thus conforming their appearance with the white railings alongside the highways through the state. The next moTe was the distribution of the drama was the distribution of small crushed stone along the side walk along the northern abutment of the bridge, thus making it possible for pedestrians to walk without en- dangering their limbs. Now the bridge proper is undergoing re- pairs, and it is to be hoped they are extensive" No repairs could be otherwise if they last two weeks,
 The mayor has followed his activity starting the repairs by get ting in touch with officials of the New Haven railroad regarding wid- ening the structure. This is admir- able. Under the law the railroad is for a share of the up- keep. The railroad is in earnest
 
 about earning the good will of the public. One good way 10 earn such good will is 10 be eager to do it's share in connection with bridges over it's tracks. Nothing earns ill-will quicker than a railroad argument over bridge costs.
 Old-timcrs remember when the Black Rock bridge did not exist. the street crossed the railroad at grade. A terrible acci- dent at the spot, when a train hit bus, aroused public indignation to the point where the present struct- ure had 10 be built. This was be- tween 40 and 50 years ago When the bridge was built it conformed with the importance of that part of the city. During that time everything in the West End has vastly changed except the appearance of the old bridge. That is one reason why there has been such dissatisfaction with the structure.
 The bridge, of course, should be as well as repaired gener- ally. The widening should take place on the south side Of the structure W here the sidewalk over the bridge projects into the highway. causing a neck of the bottle effect in going over the structure. This is the type 1f repair which was preached 10 the New Haven railroad some years ago, and though the desirability was gen. arally admitted the usual tendency for delay was manifest The bridge will never be entirely satisfactory in he public mind until this improve ment is made along with the others now under way. Ii is to he hoped hat the railroad officials seize the 10 enter into the im- the mayor suggests.
 DANGER AT INTERSECTIONS
 If there is any moral 10 draw from