Smyrna times., 1963-08-15

62 = 7l6.SS6 le62-63 --5S9.-
239.
Thus 1t is readily seen why
several years ago attendonwas
given to studying the feasibility
Of a second span. Traffic acu-
ally built up to a point where
there we're more than $4,000
crossings In a single day on
several occasions. During peak
days these last several years,
a $4,000 daily count no longer
created comment.
This meant that capacity at
peak hours was nearing samr-
alton and steps would have to be
taken to find relief. The firm
of Howard, Needles, Tammen
and Bergendoff, consultants
since the first span was built,
made the necessary study for
a parallel span.
Secretary of the Army Cy-
rus R. Vance approved a per-
nit to build the second struc-
ture just last week. 1t is ex-
pected that this will be a ma
jor item for consideration at
the next Authority meeting
which is scheduled for Tuesday,
August 27.
Meanwhile the new Authority
has also gone on record to
establish ferry service between
Cape May, New Jersey and Lew
es, Delaware. 1t is expected that
ferries and equipment will be
purchased from the Virginia
Bridge and Tunnel Commission.
An option for such purchase ex-
ptres on September l3.
The bridge has been under
the direction and supervision
of TWO political bodies prior
to the establishment of the pre-
sent Delaware River and Bay
Authority which is composed of
five Delaware and five New
Jersey representatives appoin-
ted this year by the present
governors, Hon. Ebert N. Car
vel and Hon. Richard ]. Hughes.
Originally 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 Commis-
sion. This continued until 1855
when the Delaware General As
sembly created a three member
authority known as the Della
ware Interstate Highway Divis-
ion. The new Authority was
charged with planning for fur
ther limited access or con-
trolled access highways and |
consideration of the feasibility |
of another crossing. The Dt-
vision was composed of the late |
Garrett E. Lyons, director and
]. Henry Topkis and the late
Leroy F. Hawke as members.
They took office on the spans
fourth anniversary, August is.
1855.
1t became obvious by this |
time that New Jersey was in
terested In participating in an
Authority for management of |
the bridge. Its legislature
passed a bill in 1855 to i'm
pose a license fee on bridge |
properties located In New Jer-
sey.
On October 8, 1855 Governors
Robert B. Mener of New Jer-
sey and ]. Caleb Boggs of Del
aware met In Trenton with |
members of the New Jersey |
State Highway Department and
the Interstate Division to be-
gin negotiations to solve mu-
tual problems.
Upon the sudden death of MIR. |
Lyons in February 1860, ]. H.
Tyler Mcconnell, a former
chairman of the Delaware State
Highway Commission was ap-
pointed to the three IMAM board |
and assumed the directorship. |
The Interstate Division contin- |
ued until February 6, 1868 when
the Delaware River and Bay |
Authority was activated.
Every indication seems to
point toward bi-state cooper
alton In the planning and ex-
ecution of the second bridge |
and ferry projects. 1t is felt |
that a second crossing between
the states will open up an era
of unprecedented development
In southern New Jersey and |
Delaware - 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, improve
ments were made to the span
and its facilities. An entire new
Lighting system was installed
and extended to the plaza area.
New and modern devices were
purchased to insure safe pass
age over the span. Additional |
buildings on the plaza we're con-
structed to provide for board
meetings, maintenance housing
BOARD TO MEET