Thus, it can be seen that the State Roads Commission of Maryland
not only is charged with the duty of constructing and maintaining
its Interstate and Primary System of highways, but unlike some other
States, is also charged with the duty of constructing and maintaining
over 3, 000 miles of feeder roads, commonly known as Secondary
highways.
Our highways should be designed, constructed and maintained
in accordance with the highest engineering standards conducive to
highway safety and consistent with our financial ability. The stand-
ards of construction and improvement of the Secondary System of
highways of necessity must vary as to location and traffic conditions.
It stands to reason that a feeder road in Garrett County probably
would be constructed differently from a feeder road in urban Prince
George's County. It likewise is logical that a secondary or feeder
road in Baltimore County probably would demand a type of con-
struction different from a secondary road in Talbot or Dorchester
counties.
With these factual situations in mind, I do not consider that the
present three-member Commission can adequately meet the needs
of Maryland's highway system, which, in certain respects, might be
called a dual system. In view of the diversified character of the ter-
rain and population densities which the secondary or feeder system
of highways traverse, I believe that more representation of the Com-
mission from the several areas of the State is necessary in order that
the several sections of the State, served by the Secondary System, be
better represented.
With this in mind, I propose that the present three-member State
Roads Commission be abolished, and that in its place there be
created a State Roads Commission consisting of seven members.
One of the members should be appointed from the nine counties
of the Eastern Shore. One of the members should represent the
counties generally located in the Southern portion of our State,
namely Anne Arundel, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's. Another
should be selected from the Western area of the State and embrace
the counties of Frederick, Washington, Allegany, Carroll and Garrett.
Another should be selected to represent Prince George's and Mont-
gomery Counties. Another should be selected from the counties
located generally in the Central and Northeastern portion of our
State, namely, Baltimore, Howard and Harford. The City of Baltimore
should be represented by another member. The seventh member of
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