Bypasses, one of the hottest issues in the expanded highway program, are discussed with insight in a new publication by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States entitled How Bypasses Affect Business. Available at 50 cents per copy from the Chamber office, 1615 H Street, N. W.,

Washington 6, D. C, the attractive 22-page report explodes some of the numerous myths about the evil financial consequences of a highway going around instead of through a city.

Armed with facts and figures from communities where bypasses have been constructed, the publication takes dead aim at the outworn ideas of some businessmen that "bypass" means being" "left out." Modern bypasses, properly planned, are "relief routes" and take unnecessary through-traffic away from the congested business streets thus freeing them for more profitable local traffic.

Although written primarily for the businessman, the publication is of value to mayors and local municipal officials who must justify to the public the routing around a city of a new highway. From bitter experience many officials know that certain segments of the community dash in with both fists flying at the mere mention of the word "bypass." Contrary to the honest but erroneous opinions of some businessmen that bypasses hurt business the work documents numerous cases where a belt highway or circumferential highway carrying through-traffic around a city actually increases general business activity. Even motel keepers and cafes and bars more often than not report business on the increase after the bypass relieves local traffic congestion.

Every city does not need a bypass. Routing traffic around a city is justified only if a traffic count reveals that a large volume of traffic is through-traffic. Satellite communities near a large city are more likely to need a bypass than are the larger cities or the same sized city located a distance from a large city. Ten advantages of a bypass are:

(1) Business activity is generally increased due to improved traffic conditions.

(2) Property values are likely to increase in areas transversed by the bypass because of increased accessibility.

(3) Parking is made more convenient due to reduced congestion between parking vehicles and through-traffic.

(4) Pedestrian safety and convenience is increased because the volume of fast, heavy through-traffic is reduced.

(5) There are fewer accidents and delays on city streets due to the separation of local and through-traffic.

(6) City streets receive less wear and tear caused by heavy long-distance truck movement.

(7) There is less noise, reduced exhaust fumes and fewer traffic conflicts.

(8) Dangers of hazards from explosions, fire and gas leaks from heavy through trucks are reduced.

(9) Through-traffic is expedited and savings made possible because unnecessary delays are eliminated.

(10) Local traffic control is simplified.

Other than the disadvantage to the entire community of an unjustified bypass, the principal loss is a reduction in business catering to tourists and through-traffic. This is more apparent than real since by and large modern expressways have controlled access and tourists' businesses competitive with their local counterparts are not allowed. Loss of business by the few has been proven to be more than compensated by a general improvement in business activity of the entire community.

Support is urged for sound principles of bypass which include the following:

(1)  Adequate factual studies should precede the decision to bypass. This should be based upon origin and destination studies and other economic and engineering determinations to insure that the road will best serve the area.

(2)  Bypasses should be controlled access highways. Without controlled access, roadside business establishments, parking and cross traffic will soon defeat the purpose of the new facility.

(3)  Heavy volumes of through-traffic may justify expressway or freeway type construction, with a physical dividing line down the center of the highway and grade separation at important intersections.

(4)  Bypasses should not be located so as to form a barrier to vehicular or pedestrian local cross traffic within a residential, industrial or business district.

(5)  Adequate interchanges with local streets should be provided and proper signs installed to indicate the bypass route.

(6)  Improved signing and traffic channelization measures are needed where the bypass branches off from the business route.

The Chamber has concluded that, in general, the factual studies upon which the report is based have proven that in most cases bypasses produce many benefits for the community and justify the businessman giving his cooperation and support to the various bypass programs.