PROPOSAL FOR REORGANIZATION OF THE
STATE ROADS COMMISSION

February 12, 1959

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the General
Assembly:

The importance to Maryland of an adequate highway system cannot
be over-emphasized. Good modern highways not only provide safety
and convenience to the traveling public, but also enhance our eco-
nomic welfare by inducing new business and industry to locate within
our State. In order that my views on the Maryland highway system
and the organization of the State Roads Commission not be misunder-
stood, I consider it desirable to address the Maryland Legislature in
Joint Session.

The State Roads Commission of Maryland spends more money each
year than any other agency of the State. During the past several years,
the Commission has spent close to $100 million a year for highway
construction, improvement and maintenance. I intend to see that
every dollar spent is wisely spent, and that the traveling public re-
ceives the best roads possible for its tax dollars.

Several months ago, I made a public statement on a proposed re-
organization of the State Roads Commission, and in some quarters
that statement was misunderstood or misinterpreted. Under my pro-
posed reorganization plan, the leadership and direction of the State
Roads Commission will not be decentralized, but will be more strongly
centralized and strengthened, I wish, at the outset, to emphasize this
point. My proposal is aimed at modernizing and centralizing the
State Roads Commission so that Maryland will be able to accomplish
its construction schedule of Interstate, Primary and Secondary high-
ways as rapidly and efficiently as possible.

There now are approximately 4,700 miles of roads in the State
highway system of Maryland. Of this 4,700 miles, approximately 353
miles comprise the Interstate System. Until very recent years the State
Roads Commission broke down the remainder of its highways system
into Primary and Secondary highways. The Primary System was com-
prised of trunk lines or main roads leading from one county seat
to another county seat, or one major geographic area to another
major geographic area of the State, and comprised approximately
1,670 miles. The Secondary System, which was made up of feeder
roads connecting with the Primary System or the Main roads, con-
sisted of approximately 3,130 miles.

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