SUPER HIGHWAYS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1938, Page 8

SUPER HIGHWAYS

A U.S.A. SCHEME National planners in U.S.A, are toying with the idea of creating a network of super motor highways to aid the nation and the motorist. The scheme, which is to be introduced to Congress in the near future (vide the Bulkley Bill) is planfied primarily as a recovery measure which, according to its sponsors would stimulate industrial production and provide work for an army of unemployed over a period of some years. The cost of the scheme is estimated at something like £1,600,--000,000 and should it be adopted by Congress it will be the most colossal road project yet put in hand by any nation. The plan calls for three great motor roads from coast to coast and seven running north to south. General R. Marshall, jun., who was Chief of Construction for the U.S.A. Army during the World War, in briefly outlining the scheme to build for America “tomorrow’s roads for automobiles,” states that each highway would be built in a right-of-way of at least 100 yards wide. There would be from four to 12 separate lanes to each highway, depending upon density of traffic, and each lane would carry one-way traffic only. Cars and commercial vehicles would use separate lanes. All crossings would be eliminted. The scheme provides for a self-liquidating plan, bonds being issued by a new Government corporation and paid for by moderate tolls. The tentative idea is that owners of automobiles would pay a flat rate at toll gates giving entrance to the highways of about Is for private cars and 2s for trucks, etc. In addition to the entrance fee, a small charge per passenger mile for cars and per ton mile on freight, trucks, etc., would be made.

It is computed that the annual expenditure to carry through such a national highway scheme would be in the region of £44,000,000, after making due provision for interest on capital outlay and amortisation. President Roosevelt is reported to be in favour of the great road project, and is hopeful that the programme for this self-liquidating national road construction plan will be acceptable to Congress. If the plan is adopted, it is likely that about 500 ft of land on each side of the highways will be acquired by the Government, with the idea that the added value of the adjoining properties would, in a few years’ time, enable the Government to make a considerable profit in selling or leasing its reserved areas to interested persons or corporations.