The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-04-26
HODGES
CONTINUED from Page One)

y
and the people of Eastern NORTH
Carolina. This bridge means the
realization of dream the people
of this area have had for more
than 20 years, And it is altogeth-
err fitting and appropriate that il
should honor the memory of oui
late Governor.
William Umstead was a mar
of simple tastes who deeply APP
preciated the basic values of life
Born and raised on farm, he al
ways felt close to the soil, the for
ests, streams, and other natural
resources. While a Congressman
and a United States Senator, Mr..
Umstead evidenced a great inter-
est in all legislation having to do
with natural resources and agri-
culture. In his inaugural address
he asked for expansion of the pro-
gram encouraging new industries
to move to North Carolina, and he
spoke of the Importance of COM
mercial fisheries, our waterways,
mineral resources, the tourist
traae, our state parks, and the val
ue of recreational facilities both
from the standpoint of our own
population and our visitors.
"This bridge has been aptly de-
scribed as a bridge to history"
since it leads to such historic and
scenic points of interest as the
Lost Colony, Fort Raleigh, the
Elizabethan Gardens, Kill Devil
Hills, the Cape Hatteras National
Seashore Recreational Area, and
many others. Replacing a long
time ferry system, this doorway
to North Cardinals lost province, .
opens up the Outer Banks and
joins an already fine road net
work. We already have a paved
road down to the Outer Banks
(Hatteras) and are now trying to
complete a paved road on Ocra-
coke Island, which will also great
ly benefit the Banks in that it will
greatly increase the tourist BUSH
ness of visitors and home folks.
zone of the next projects of vi
tai Importance in this area is the
Alligator River Bridge project
which will complete the link be-
tween the coast and the other in
land communities. Just at present
no means are available for provid-
ing this vital link, and I am sure
the people in this territory do not
expect two large, expensive bridges
at one time. Our office made avail
able, some months ago, money for
a preliminary survey of Alligator
Bridge, and l assure you of my
interest in this bridge. This beau
tiful bridge we are dedicating to-
day makes an all road-bridge route
available for those who don't like
ferry ride. Our Interstate pro.
gram of ia miles must be design
ed and built to meet the load and
traffic requirements of 1875, and
a great deal of our highway money
will go in that direction.
"As most of you know, am
deeply interested in the develop
ment of our fishing industry here
in this area and have frequently
urged more local processing. This
bridge, feel sure, will serve as a
springboard for the expansion of
this processing industry by OPEN
ing I'M first-class road service from
the coast to the Interstate primary
routes and from there to the popu-
lous Northeastern markets.
with the opening of this new
bridge, l envision more prosper
Gus Eastern North Carolina, with
thousands of tourists coming to
this lovely coastal area. The Will
liam B. Umstead bridge marks
the beginning of a new era of in
creased economic development here
in the Southern Albemarle region.
at is privilege to join with
all of you, including Mrs. Umstead
and Merle Bradley, today in dedi-
eating this bridge as the William
B. Unstead Memorial Bridge -
which will henceforth be its off.
cial name. May it be of much value
in building a greater and more
prosperous Eastern North Caro-
lima.