The Bluffton News

Official Red Tape
Stymies Street Repair
(Continued from page 1)

top would be put on the street this year.

No indications have been made, however, that an early start on the work has been planned, and indefinite answers are received from state highway officials relative to the program.

Mayor Challenges Explanation

Statements that very little work is being in towns have been the only explanation offered Mayor Howe for failure to include the street work in the district highway program.

Mayor Howe has challenged the explanation by pointing out that highway work is under way in Van Wert, and insisting that Bluffton also should share in the work project.

During consideration of the matter last year it was indicated that cost of the proposed improvement will be approximately $35,000. Of this, Bluffton was to pay $5,000, which would come from the town's street and highway maintenance fund.

Paved in 1927

Main street's present brick pavement was completed in 1927. It consists of a six-inch concrete foundation, one-inch sand cushion and a three-inch brick top held in place with asphalt binder.

Resurfacing of the street would eliminate a traffic hazard represented by steel rails of the abandoned Western Ohio interurban line, which follows the center of the thoroughfare.

Altho asphalt was placed in indentations beside the rails after the line was abandoned, enough of the steel projects above street levels to make driving treacherous when the surface is wet.