Local Improvements

Marietta Intelligencer, August 29, 1839

Marietta and Newport Turnpike and Bridge Company

We have no desire to puff our goodly Town and County, or to boast of the enterprize and public spirit of her citizens. But we intend to speak fully and frequently of our natural advantages and shall also endeavor to show the distant public that something is doing here in the way of improving these advantages.

One important improvement - and this perhaps is nearer its completion than any other now in progress - is that of the "Marietta and Newport Turnpike and Bridge Company." This Company was incorporated in the winter of 1837 & '38 with a Capital of Sixty Thousand dollars, one half of which is taken by individuals, and one half by the State.

The road commences at the Corporation line of Marietta, crosses Duck Creek and the Little Muskingum a short distance above their junction with the Ohio, and terminates on the Ohio river at Newport. It is sixteen miles in length and the probable cost of the road, when completed according to the plan, is forty-five thousand dollars. It is proposed to McAdamize the road the whole distance in the course of the ensuing season.

The Bridge across Duck Creek has a length of one hundred and forty-eight feet between the piers, with extension bridges of forty feet at each end, making the entire length of the bridge two hundred and twenty-eight feet. The Bridge over the Little Muskingum has a span of one hundred and seventy-eight feet, with extension bridges the same as at Duck Creek, making the entire length two hundred and fifty-eight feet. The piers upon which these bridges are erected are thirty-three feet in height and built of the most substantial masonry. The superstructure is entirely of white pine, and on the plan of Col. Long's patent. They are well painted and the ends are finished in good taste.

At Newport this road connects with the Middle Island Turnpike, which is thirteen miles in length and connects with the great North Western Turnpike leading from Parkersburg to Winchester. At Winchester this road connects with Rail Roads leading to Baltimore and Washington.

In point of magnitude, this work does not compare with some others now in progress, and of which we shall speak in some future number. We believe, however, that it will affect the prosperity of our county more favorably than many, even of its friends, have anticipated.

The road will be opened as far as the Little Muskingum about the 18th of September.

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Muskingum Valley Turnpike

The Directors of this Company have put a portion of the road under contract and are advancing the work with all possible speed. On Saturday last, sections B, C, D, E & F, were let to the following contractors.

Sections B & C, embracing the south side of March Run Hill, a distance of 144 rods, and the north side of the same, a distance of 168 rods, were taken by James Dutton and G. W. Trout.

The Culvert at Dyer's and Section D, embracing the narrows at widow Dyer's, were taken by James Dutton.

The bridge at Mason's run and at I. Devol's were taken by William Mason.

Section E, embracing the Steam Mill narrows, and Section F, embracing Mason's narrows, together with the bridges at Wincil's, at Decker's, and at Cole run, were taken by G. W. Trout.

The Directors have secured the services of Samuel R. Curtis Esq. as Principal Engineer, and under his superintendence there can be no doubt the work will e promptly and faithfully executed.