Milford chronicle., 1963-08-23

MILFORD O.
Bridge and Tunnel Commission.
An option for such purchase ex-
pires on Sept. 13.
The bridge has been under the
direction and supervision OF two
political bodies prior to the es-
tablishment Of the present Della
ware River and Bay Authority
which is composed Of five Della
ware and five New Jersey
representatives appointed this
year by the present governors,
Hon. Ebert N. Carvel and Hon.
Richard j. Hughes.
Originally, a Delaware Cross
ing Division Of the Delaware
Highway Department was in
charge Of construction. After the
first permanent manager was
appointed, he reported directly
to the State Highway Commits
sion. This continued until 1855
when the Delaware General As
4 Sembly created three member
authority known as the Delaware
Interstate Highway Division. The
new Authority was charged with
planning for further limited ac-
cess or controlled access high
ways and consideration Of the
feasibility Of another crossing.
The Division was composed Of
the late Garrett E. Lyons, di-
rector, and ]. Henry Topkis and
the late Leroy F. Hawke as
members. They took office on
the spans fourth anniversary,
Aug. is, 1855.
It became obvious, by this
time, that New Jersey was in
terested in participating in an
Authority for management Of the
bridge. It's legislature passed a
bill in 1855 to impose a license
fee on bridge properties located
in New Jersey.
On Oct. 8, 1855, Governors
Robt. B. Meyner Of New Jersey
and j. Caleb Boggs Of Delaware
met in Trenton with members
Of the New Jersey State High
way Department and the Inter
state Division to begin negotia-
tions to solve mutual problems.
Upon the sudden death Of Mr..
Lyons in Feb. OF 1860, j. H.
Tyler Mcconnell, former
chairman Of the Delaware State
Highway Commission, was ap-
pointed to the three-man board .
and assumed the dictatorship.
The Interstate Division con-
tinued until Feb. s, 1863 when
the Delaware River and Bay
Authority was activated.
Every indication seems to
point toward bi-state coopera-
tion In the planning and execu-
tion OF the second bridge and
ferry projects. It Is felt that
a second crossing between the
states will open up an era Of
unprecedented development in
southern New Jersey and Della
ware at least that IS the fond
hope Of the ten men who now
direct the fate Of all future
crossings between the two
states.
IN the interim years, i'm
provements were made to the
span and its facilities. An en-
tire new lighting system was
installed and extended to the
plaza area. New and modern
devices were purchased to in
sure safe passage over the span.
Additional buildings on the plaza
we're constructed to provide for
board meetings, maintenance
housing and storage. The Di-
vision acquired 25 additional
acres Of land for the project.
The structure was declared
the most beautiful span erected
in 1851 by the American Steel
Institute and also has become
known as the worlds best
lighted single suspension bridge.
Dedicated to the World War
II and Korea conflict dead Of
New Jersey and Delaware, a
suitable memorial was de-
veloped which was dedicated
Oct. 20, 1856.
It was shortly thereafter that
the Interstate Highway Division
acquired an additional forty
acres Of land adjoining the me-
mortal and running back to
Cherry Lane. After his death,
the Delaware General Assembly
passed a bill naming the area
as the Garrett E. Lyons Me-
mortal Park.
Delaware Memorial Bridge
has become noted for many
other things during its twelve
years Of service to the public.
Receptionists in the Informa-
tion Center have established a
reputation for friendlineSs as
they provide expert service and
guidance. Outside the center are
picnic tables and umbrellas SO
that travellers or picnickers may
stop there to have their lunch,
augmented by soft drinks and
Ice cream from nearby vending