STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEMS 191 



To meet the expense of improving roads, a state loan has been made 

 and a sinking fund provided. Five hundred thousand dollars was 

 appropriated annually for 1900 and 1901. 



Five per cent, of the annual appropriations for road improve- 

 ment is to be spent in amounts at the discretion of the commission, 

 in towns where no state road has been built. ; Such improvement is 

 to be made only on petition of the selectmen and when made the 

 road remains a town highway. (') 



New Jersey. 



In New Jersey the improvement of roads is in the hands of the 

 county boards of chosen freeholders, acting under the supervision of 

 a state road commissioner appointed by the governor for three years 

 at a salary of |2,500. Whenever the board of chosen freeholders 

 determine to improve any road in the county, estimates, plans and 

 specifications are filed with the state road commissioner. If after 

 investigation, the commissioner decides that the improvement is 

 necessary and can be made within the state appropriation, he may 

 approve the plans. The director of chosen freeholders then adver- 

 tises for bids and lets the contract, and the state commisioner ap- 

 points a supervisor to oversee construction. On completion of work 

 the supervisor must file itemized statements of cost with the board 

 of chosen freeholders and state commissioner. One-third of the cost 

 of improvement is paid by the state and two-thirds by the county. 

 The annual state appropriation is $150,000.^^) When completed, the 

 road is a county road and must be maintained by the board of chosen 

 freeholders. They must appoint a road supervisor and fix his 

 salary. ^^) 



Proceedings for the improvement of a road may also be begun 

 by individuals. On petition of owners of two-thirds of property in 

 lineal feet or area abutting on a highway, stating that they will pay 

 10 per cent, of the cost of improvement, the board of chosen free- 



(1) Mass.. '00. Chap. 432. 



(2) N. J.. '99. Chap. 43. 



(3) N. J.. '95. Chap. 443. 



