Smyrna Times

READY TO BUILD THE REHOBOTH ROAD AROUND TOWN OF MILFORD

BRIDGE OVER MISPILLION RIV- ER ONLY OBSTACLE IN WAY

Hearing on This Took Place To-day Before United States District En- gineer Howell- Shorter Road

Colonel R. P. Howell, United States District Engineer has called a meet- ing in the Community Building at Milford on Wednesday next at 1:30 p. m., for the purpose of ascertaining if there is any objection to the pro- posed bridge over the Mispillion River about a mile east of the fixed bridge on Walnut street in that town. Navi- gation interests and officials of town and county will be heard at that time and the information secured forward- ed to the War Department at Wash- ington. The bridge is to be construct- ed by the State Highway Department and the plans submitted call for a one leaf bascule bridge. In a closed posi- tion the least vertical clearance be- tween mean high and low water planes will be respectively 5.5 and 9.4 feet. The proposed horizontal clear- ance is 50 feet between the fenders and 45 feet between the fenders on the southerly side of the draw span and the top of the lift leaf when that leaf is raised for the passage of vessels. The bridge will be on the proposed road which will connect with the road now leading to Rehoboth. At present it is necessary for those using the route to Rehoboth to go through the town of Milford. The proposed road will leave the duPont Highway about a mile outside of Milford and will pass over the Mispillion river about a mile below the main part of the town. The road will slightly lessen the dis- tance from Wilmington to Rehoboth and will make travel easier because it will be possible to make better time because it will not be necessary to go over the main street of Milford as at present. The road has been in con- templation for some time but when the plan was originally decided upon there was considerable opposition in Milford because it was believed that sending seashore travel around the town would result in a loss of busi- ness for the merchants there. Since then it is understood that some of the opposition has subsided and the State Highway Department has con- tinued its plans to build the road. The argument used for the new road is that better time can be made and there is less chance of accidents when the main streets of towns are avoid- ed. This has been the aim of the Highway Commission, there being a feeling that those bound for a certain point want to reach that point and will not stop in a town on their way. It is urged on the other hand that if they do wish to go through the town to make purchases they will do so because the distance is small.