Milford chronicle., 1937-01-29
". W. MACK URGES
STATE TO BUILD
MORE HIGHWAYS
[ContinHed from First Page1

for the next two fiscal years, the
Legislature must provide approx.
mately S825,000 of the total amount
for each of the two fiscal years to
match federal funds.
Widening of roads from Corbit
Station to Christiana to Newark
Newark to Maryland line; New Cas-
tie to Wilmington River Road
Smyrna to Kenton to Hartly Road
and Maryland line; Milford to Har-
rington to Burrsville; and Dover to
Pearson's Corner Road, in Kent
County; Georgetown to dupont
Road; Bridgeville to Atlanta to
Maryland line; Greenwood to Mil
ford; Harmons School to Midway,
and Dagsboro to Clarksville in Sus-
sex County are recommended by the
chief engineer.
Urges Protection Fer Beaches
Mr.. Mack recommended the Cen
eral Assembly to provide funds for
construction of eight groins, four
at Rehoboth Beach and four at
Bethany Beach, for preservation of
the beaches of the two resorts.
They would add to the number of
groins constructed by the depart
ment by direction of assembly in
1885 and last year.
Total income Of the department
last year amounted to $4,2S3, ,696.35
of which $546,1 1857 was balance
from 1885; SLOT, ,492.70 from motor
vehicle fees; 51,55S.70 from titling
fees; $1.S77.16O.61 from motor fuel
tax, $2,672 from motor fuel dealers
Ct,.sI Qee OQ1 90
from state police fines, $69S. .4S0.7S
from federal aid; $1S,593.75 from
miscellaneous income. and $5,337
from can inspection campaign.
Expenditures amounted to $685.
6S9.54 of which $44,215.42 was for
administration; of which about $780,
900 was for fixed charges, such as
the county bonds taken over; $1,031,-
25443 for maintenance. $1.796, 1877
for construction, $177, ,554.22 for state
police.
The balance at the first of this
year was $457 ,OO6.S1. On Dec. 81.
last, there were federal highway
contracts amounting to 81 ,327.06
outstanding of which obligations of
the State Highway Department
amounted to $489,223.
22S Miles Widened
Mack says 22S miles of pavements
originally built IA feet to 16 feet in
width have been widened during
recent years. Contracts for widen
ing IS miles were undertaken in
1886. Additional widening should
be undertaken for convenience and
safety the engineer said.
Continuation of the Ocean High
way, from Rehoboth to Bethany
Beach to Fenwick Island is recon-
mended.
Officials have expressed their in
tention of extending the Ocean
Boulevard between Rehoboth and
Bethany Beaches to Ocean City, Md.
Mr.. Mack in his report points out
the additional expenditures placed |
on the State Highway Department by |
the 105th General Assembly reduced |
the amount available for construc-
tion work by $3S7,334.77 in spite of |
the additional one cent as tax.
The one-cent additional gasoline /
tax in 1886 provided $435,626.6S in
additional funds.
Legislative Problem
Mr.. Mack points out it is neces-
sary to provide approximately
$S25,000 for each of the two years
OF the next biennium if federal aid
funds are to be absorbed by the
state.
The appropriation of $900,310 to
Delaware by the federal government
under the emergency relief act of
1885 has been expended or is under
contract Under the Hayden Cart
wright act $609,375 of regular fed
eral aid funds was provided for each
of the fiscal years of 1886 and 1887.
The remainder of this sum, $S49,-
1921, is not under contract and
must be matched by state funds.
Delaware will receive. Mr.. Mack
reports, each year for the years
ending June 80, 1888, and. June 80.
1889, a total of S625,O0O for federal
aid projects; $125,000 for secondary
OF feeder roads, and $25O,OOO for
of hazards at grade
crossings. With the exception OF
certain engineering expenses and
cost of property damage, the grade
crossing elimination work requires
no outlay by the state. The $780, ,
900 a year for highway and second
ary feeder roads must be matched
by the state.
Federal appropriations during the
past year, Mr.. Mack's report says,
made the road-buiIding program of
he state one of the largest in the
of the department.
Had Labor Agreement !
The highway department had to !
make an agreement with the federal !
bureau of public roads to use 1,0O3,-
100 man-hours of labor secured !
rom the U. S. Employment Service. !
Until January 1, the department had
Ised over 41,000 of the required 1
lumber of man hours. !
The state departments division OF I
ests maintained close supervision :
t the quality of all materials used
" the department, reducing costs =
" elimination of inferior materials :
nd made 2,O29 tests of samples. :
Thirteen road and bridge projects .
omprising 81 contracts were let dur X
1g the year. Proposals were re- u
eived from 405 bidders and the to- U
i contract bids for projects amount "
d to 2.475,716.21. L
State Highway Department con- 3:
acts provided an important relief .
, the unemployment situation. Dur u
Ig 1886 an average of more than 3
IS me nper week with peak week y y
1920 men during the week of u
Inc 13, were employed. During 1885 . .
.,.xo.o r,a of Qn0 mon "A week were II