The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-09-10
Ohio Turnpike

"a personal account of an Ohio Turnpike tour
as Wratten By Bishop Ready Leaving Columbus
airport the plane headed for Matnnee t0here the
Turnpike fotlotUed l0est TO the Indiana border
Turning there the Turnpike Wds followed to
Pennsylvania
have just travelled over the Ohio Turnpikel The
gmmick in that sentence is the word over The
whole PAL miles OF the Turnpike from Indiana TO
Pennsylvania, covered at height of about
1000 feet in comfortable twin engine Aero-Com-
mander 1t is thrilling experience to view the tre-
mendous construction activity from the vantage
point of an airplane, wish all citizens OF the State
might have a similar opportunity to see the great
roadway stretch through 13 counties of Northern
Ohio The magnificent road will be new glory
for our State
As we travelled the route of this modern Appian
Way there was certain antiphon and response OF
wonderment as each new feature of the road came
in sight Even in the midst of renewing the face of
the earth to serve better modern communication
needs there was apparent reverence on the part
Of the builders to preserve the beauty of Gods Gre
alton in The forests and rivers of the lovely Ohio
countryside.
Where once glaciers held the land in icy grip,
great fleets of monster earth.moving equipment
maneuver with astonishing rapidty in response to
human commands. As mile after mile unrolls be-
meath the of the airplane il is easy to accept
the engineers statement that here in this corridor
across our state is the greatest present concenra-
tion of highway building machinery in the nation
AS far as the eye leap ahead of the plane
the roadway seems to reach the far-oH horizon
BY its magnificent expanse, il suggests the solution
Of Ohio's worrsome traffic problem. At scattered
points along the route one notes the final outlines
OF the new superhighway. These are the places at
which skilled workmen swarm about batteries Of
paving machines from which roll constantly length
ening ribbons of concrete These are the workers
who will give Ohio and the nation the smooth safe
riding surface demanded IN this automotve century
Where the pavement has been laid, other fea
tures Of this new type Of highway become evident
The wide center strip separating the eastbound and
westb0und roadways is a major safety factor which
every motorst recognizes From the air, one picks
out as a special feature the wide shoulders which
flank both sides OF the concrete r0adways to provide
support for vehicles which must get out OF the trat
fic stream for repairs similar emergencies.
Another unusual feature Of the highway IS inn
medately apparent 10 the aerial viewer but potent
ia motorist refer 10 the twin bridges which carry
the Turnpike roadways when they must cross over
rivers. railroads other highways. This, 100, is
great safety factor Some public highways and rail
roads cross the Turnpike on the customary
single structure. These bridges single OF double,
seem finished across the whole expanse OF the
State Nowhere along the entire 24l miles, accord.
ing to my engineer guide, is there crossing at
grade This is another safety factor which Will
please the motorlst Il will help immeaSurably in
maintaining the speed and safety OF travel eharac-
teristic OF the modern toll road
on the aerial tour noticed many church spires
and the familiar cross which adorns our Catholic
lieve only one Of these institutions will show TO
advantage That is the splendid Elyrla District Ca
tholic High School. The tourist will get good
look al this modern school with its spacious campus
There NAV be other Catholic sightseeing features
but certainly Elyrias District Catholic stands out as
fine advertisement of our Catholic school system
! travelled the Turnpike route with two outstand
ing experts, Mr. James Shocknessy, the Chairman
of the Ohio Turnpike Commission and Mr.. Edward
Donnelly of the Commissions Consulting Engineers
The names suggest Irish lineage. mention THIS
circumstance to point out that one OF the greatest
difficulties encountered in constructing the Turn
pike today was familiar Irish product,-the peat
bog The greatest Of these engineering dIemmas
is apparent even 10 an amateur as the airplane
reaches the hilly country through which an ap-
proaeh is being cut to the great twin bridges that
carry the Turnpike the wide and deep valley
Of the Cuyahoga River
When we came near the eastern boundary of
Ohio il seemed like getting 10 the promised land!
The miles Of white ribbons Of concrete stretched
out TO tAeet The well-raveed roadway OF Pennsy-
vania's famous Turnpike II will not be long now
before ohioans will enjoy travel the first section
of their Turnpike % mile section OF the
completed toll.road will be opened about December
1 1854 The whole great achievement is scheduled
for opening in October 1855.
II is great experience 10 fly over the Turn
pike II will be an equally thrilling experience TO
drive over IFS smooth safe surface through the
winding hills and stately forests, by lakes and
across rivers. skirtng the great cities and busy
towns of northern Ohio or visiting them on the
easily accessible roads which have been improved
hy the overall Turnpike plan TO serve ct
zens Nav Ohio keep the leadership in providing
similar TurnpkeS in other sections of The State
and while we are in the mood for prayer, let MS
beseech God TO bless all who have planned and
built this magnificent roadway for the convenience
and safety citizens.