Evening star., 1951-12-24
MckeIdin Seeks
Roads Program
Free Of Politics
Two Stute Groups
Asked to Develop
Primary Schedule
BY the Assoeia,sd Press

ANNAPOLIS, Dec. 24.-What
Maryland needs, says Gov. Nc
Keldin. is a full-f1edged roads
program.
And it's going to get one
promptly, the Governor vows, one
that will eliminate the chance Of
off hand or gravy road construc-
ton.
The State Roads Commission
has definite plans for new and re-
built highways, generally with the
Governors approval. But Gov.
McKeldin's demand is for sched-
dule that combines policy with
needs for years to come.
Il am anxious to have as soon
as possible a State program for
roads," he said.
Prefers Road Program.
II don't want roads built simply
to spend the money available. I
want the Roads Commission and
its advisory committee to develop
for Maryland real primary roads
programme develop it right now"
It would be a program mot to
be deviated from by lot of ex-
cursions into non-essential roads,"
he added.
To roads people, essential
often means political" construc-
ton. the kind that swings a road
past certain place to please GER
tain people.
Extension Of the new Route 40
to Frederick is, on the other
hand, the kind of project Gov. Nc
Keldin considers really a part" Of
a State program. He wants to pro-
ceed on that job.
Gov. McKeldin gave his ideas
on road improvements after re-
Ifecting on an autumn inspection
tour which carried him over 1000
miles Of dual-lane highways and
side routes.
Two-Year Expenditure.
Soon after his last trip he an
nounced his administration would
build roads at the rate of $50 mil
lion annually for the next two
years.
'This is an amount we are
equipped to spend" he explained.
Any more he regards as extrava-
gance.
It's also an amount certain to
exhaust q 500 million loan au-
thorized four years ago. The third
SIS million bond issue under this
quota is now being f1oated.
The Roads Commissions budget
for the fiscal year beginning next
July ] anticipates income of more
than $685. million, mainly from
gasoline and motor vehicle reve-
nues. But it sets aside more than
1873 million for payments and in
terest on road loans.
Also Federal Funds.
Besides money from within the
State, Maryland also will get more
than IS million In Federal roads
funds next year. Nearly 50 mil
lion are earmarked for primary
roads, the balance for county roads
and city streets.
State construction this year
won't reach the $50 million mark.
Little more than $40 million had
been spent or put aside for spe-
lclflc projects by November.
The latest estimate for the full
year is no more than $25 million.
Between 1947 and 1850, Mary
land either spent or committed
itself to more than S144 million
in road work. That was part Of
the 5000 million program inaugu-
rated in former Gov. Lanes ad-
ministration.
Other Road Work.
Aside from new highways, the
money went for new secondary
roads, widening and resurfacine
Jobs, maintenance and improve
ments. 1t paid for work on 1,130
miles OF roadway, including 235
miles OF primary construction.
The Roads Commission figures it
takes an average of $4,000 to
complete one mile of first-class
highway. $4,000 per mile of Sec
ondary road.
Among new highways now in
the works, Gov. McKeldin has his
eye on Route 40 between Balti-
more and Frederick. Twenty miles
OF dual highway already have been
built from the Baltimore city line
along the States main east-west
artery. Another miles have been
contracted for, extending the dual
lanes to Ridgeville.
Bypass for Frederick.
Gov. McKeldin wants to buy up
rights Of way for the remaining
distance to Frederick, but con-
struct for the time being only a
single-lane highway. This would
replace the present winding route.
which Gov. McKeldin calls a
snake road" He contemplates
"a highway that will really be a
part Of a State roads program"
Next would comes a bypass
around Frederick, and ultimately
the second lane from Ridgeville.
Gov. McKeldin still is hostile to
denied-access highways. He and
the Roads Commission prefer
limited access" to heavily Travelled
highways from side roads.
There's no use going through a
mans property" the Governor
said. He would provide an entry
instead Of spending extra money
when it would cost substantially
more to reroute the road.