Edward N. Hines

Edward N. Hines (1870-1938), was a member of the Wayne County, Michigan, Road Commission from 1906 to 1938. He is one of the most important innovators in road development.

Hines was appointed to the Wayne County Board of Roads at its inception in 1903, along with Henry Ford and Cass R. Benton. In 1909, Hines (in conjunction with Horatio Earle) was responsible for the construction of the first full mile of concrete road pavement in the world, the stretch of Woodward Avenue between Six Mile and Seven Mile Roads in Detroit.

Hines originated the concept of painting a line down the center of a road to separate traffic in opposing directions. Painted center lines were first used in Wayne County in 1911. This simple idea has since been recognized as one of the most important single traffic safety devices in the history of highway transportation.

Snow removal from public roads was another of Hines' innovations.

Hines was a national leader in the concept of landscaping highway rights-of-way. He was instrumental in movements to beautify highways by eliminating power lines and billboards. In the 1920s Hines was a leader in the movement to acquire land along the Huron River and the Rouge River, for the purpose of converting them into parks. In 1937, the Middle Rouge Parkway was renamed the Edward N. Hines Parkway, in his honor.

In 1935, Hines was awarded the George S. Bartlett Award, for outstanding contribution to highway progress.

Hines was one of the organizers of the League of American Wheelmen, and served as its chief consul.

External links

MDOT-Edward N. Hines (1870-1938) [http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9620_11154_41535-126420--,00.html]

"The Sunday Drive" from "The Detroit News" [http://forums.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?category=sports&id=98]