Smyrna times., 1951-09-13
HIGHWAY HEAD
AT LIONS MEET
r. A. Haber, Chief Engineer
Explains Dept.'s Views
on Projects Here
BYPASS MAKES SENSE"

HIlcnard A. f1aDer, cnlet engineer
Delaware State Highway Depart
ment, and James B. Bice, Kent
County engineer. They also enter
tanned at the dinner meeting May
or George r. Stevenson, Town
Manager S. C. Marvel, and Ralph
G. FAIRIES, councilman. Mr. Bice,
in a brief talk, said that the people
are the judges as to Commerce
Street or Glenwood Avenue routes.
He also stated that the department
is obligated to take care of the
curb situation and shallow culvert
on East Commerce Street, which
he termed tough proposition.
Talk by Mr.. Haber
MIR. Haber spoke at length on the
drainage situation on Commerce
Street from Four Corners east and
said that the highway department
had agreed to go ahead on this
phase, which will cost approxim-
ately $4,000. The town will take
care of the utilities, and it is hoped
to go ahead this fall. He said that
the problems are not insurmount-
able. but that some materials are
not available, especially the steel
shortage, which calls for re-design
in plans. Touching on the contro-
versial topic of widening of Com
merce Street or opening Glenwood
Avenue, he emphasized that the
department is not committed to
either. Nothing would be done by
the department without a written
agreement by mayor and council to
come into any incorporated town.
He said that this law was a provi-
sion made when the department
was first formed, to stop any pos
sible dictatorial approach. Refer
ring to Commerce Street he said
That in March or April the depart
ment felt that there was need of a
new surface on that street, and af-
ter survey it was thought that a
new job was needed, requiring
tearing out the road to its base.
If this was done it was felt that
the expenditure of so much money
would necessitate applying for fed
eral aid. The requirements for fed
eral aid included a minimum AZ
foot width from curb to curb.
GlenwOOd Avenue
He then referred to Glenwood
Avenue which he said had been
talked of during the sixteen years
of his association with the depart
ment. The Glenwood Avenue open
ing, in the view of the speaker,
would open up a new area, and
would not take away any business
from the town, rather would add to
business. This happens every
where, Mr.. Haber stated, where q
bypass is opened, and he cited sew
eral towns to prove this point. No
decrease is expected anywhere in
the traffic pattern, but rather ar
increase, and in his mind the
'Glenwood Avenue bypass makes
good sense. 1t the towns reac-
ton is favorable the highway com.
mission will be asked to approve
it's construction, and add another
commercial street to Smyrna. II
was the feeling of the speaker that
this would be a definite benefit ,tC
Smyrna and cause new commerc
ial section to move into that area
as well as residences. It would
probably be better to re-surfact
Commerce Street, he said, but III
would hesitate to approve such
project unless SOME of the tree
were removed. The total cost o
Glenwood Avenue will be approx
imately 100000, and will be
definite asset to Smyrna if built"
the speaker stated, but the high
way department "does not wish t.
ram it down the throat" The pre-
liminary plans have been made, tn
money is set aside, and the depart
ment now waits on the highwa.
commissions decision to spend tn
money and the decision of the tow
to accept it.
Cars Counted on North Main st.
Al counter located on Main Stree
between North Street and Glen
wood Avenue registered figures t
show 1919 vehicles passed owe
that section in a 24-hour perioC
which the speaker said is goo
traffic volume for town the siz
of Smyrna, and more than justifie
the expenditure of the construction
according to the speaker. Refer
ing to business interests whic
have felt that business in tow
fContirued On Pare Fcur)