of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 139

summer. This roadway is being built in conjunction with the new Havre de
Grace Bridge over the Susquehanna River. Work on the bridge, which was
badly disorganized when the present Commission went into office, and further
complicated by the sudden disappearance of the contractor some months ago,
is now well in hand, and there is every reason to believe that construction can
be completed by June 30.

This bridge, together with the splendid structure over the Potomac near
Hancock, which I helped to dedicate several months ago, and the two-mile-long
Bridge, being erected over the Potomac near Morgantown, are important links
between our State and our neighboring States, the value of which will become
apparent as time goes on. The Morgantown Bridge, unique in many of its
construction aspects, and calling for piles longer than any that ever have been
driven for any bridge, will give a much more direct route to Richmond and the
South, and do much to open up the adjacent section of Southern Maryland.

In the matter of Federal funds for our State Roads, the Commission found
that there was grave danger, because of delays previously, of losing much or
all of these funds, but it has speeded up the program, had the necessary surveys
made and rights of way obtained, with. the result that we expect to have twenty-
one of these projects under project agreement by June 30, the deadline set by
the Federal Government.

Other important road construction this year included the Coastal Highway
from Ocean City to the Delaware Line, which now provides a second entrance
to Ocean City, assuring freedom from a recurrence of the troubles of 1933 and
1936, when Ocean City was cut off completely by storms that flooded the old
bridge across Sinepuxent Bay. Now under construction, too, is the dual high-
way from Wise Avenue into Sparrows Point, which, when completed this sum-
mer, will relieve the congested conditions which have existed on this heavily
travelled roadway. During the year, five-foot bituminous shoulders have been
added on many of the narrow concrete roadways of the State, much of this
work being done by prison labor. These shoulders have added greately to the
safety of travel.

TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS DISBURSED BY THE
STATE ROADS COMMISSION DURING THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1939

Maintenance of the State System of Roads and appurtenances... $ 1, 796, 433. 27

Remittances to Baltimore City, being its distributive shares of
the l 1/2 Lateral Gasoline Tax Fund, Incorporated Towns Tax
Refunds, and Excess Gasoline Tax Receipts for the fiscal
years 1937, 1938 and 1939.............................................................. 1, 102, 843. 25

Maintenance of the County Roads Systems in 20 of the 23
Counties.............................................................................................. 1, 038, 258. 56

Payments made direct to County authorities, and applied by
them for satisfaction of Debt Service Obligations on County
Road Bonds........................................................................................ 542, 870. 39

Payments to Incorporated Towns on authorities of the County
Commissioners and Special Acts........................................ A......... 76, 402. 94

Appropriations to Ferry Boat Company................................. 11, 977. 64

Sign License Fees paid to the Treasury of the State of Maryland 2, 916. 91