Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-09-29

timber on the line until we come upon the tenth.
The road is to be cut and cleared sixty feet and
grubbed twenty feet from the centre each way.
The location was made entirely with view
of gaining the best ground and not OF accomoda-
ting indIv iduals and for this reason, the line
made to pass through cleared land, and to bisect
many valuable farms, whenever such GROUND was
considered preferable.
From Boston to the State line 1t was proposed to
run routes, one direct line to the point Sc
lected, the other making sweep to the south
and striking the line lower down. From the ma
ture of the ground which the first passes, be-
ing fiat, swampy land and covered with dense /
growth of timber. | am cow nced that it is en-
tircly impracticable. BY keeping to the
south and striking the State line point near
the residence Of Jacob Lybrook, we avoid al the
wet and swampy ground lying to the north, and
obtain easy and cheap location, and but little
longer than the other route. The only streams
of Importance the line Short Creek, of
its tributaries and Ekhorn River. The two first
are passed by means of platform bridges of ten
feet span each, which are much cheaper in con-
struction than arched cuverts. The last, be-
ing at all times fordable and having rocky bot
tom, requires noviaduct- A platform bridge of five
feet span will be constructed over Maxwes Mill
race the 4th mile. The masonry in these
three bridges is coursed rubble work laid in full
mortar. The smaller streams, wet weather bran
ches NC. are crossed by means of drains, varying
in dimentions according to the of the streams
: They are built Of dry masonry and finished
: like the bridges, with entirely rough work.
e The principal item Of expense in the construc-
= ton Of the proposed road will be the metaling.-
: The only two quarries the line from which
h stone can be procured for Merchandising, are a,
/ Short Creek and Elkhorn the Sd and 4th miles
l. All that portion of the road between the latte
), and State line being supplied from the last men
toned quarry making the average distance of haul
II ing the eleventh mile, neatly eight miles.
IS By rcferance the accompanying estimate
% will be perceived that the cost of metaling tn
c road alone amounts to 81 $50 dollars. THIS
IS the lowest estimate that can be possibly be made
1t The route is to be graded twenty four feet wild
lie with fall of 4 inches from the centre to tn
5, sides, the bitches being five feet wide and foe
&c deep, making the width of the road, on levt
is ground about 81 feet. The me tai will be put o
TX Is feet wide and inches deep, leaving shoulder
Il, 3 feet wide OH each side. The amount of meta
or ing stone required is perches each rod ben
ct 1850 perches to each mile 1t is to be spread u
ch the road IN two layers, the first layer to be br
ken in pieces 81 inches in diameter, the second
or pieces 24 in diameter. This plan is recommen
as cd from its cheapness, and if each layer firm
ri consolidated and the edges of the metal well pr
no tected by shoulders, tightly packed, will form
e. firm and durable road.
VIC If gravel could be obtained the route
he would be much cheaper material for construc
NC ting the road, than stone; but unfortunately nor
rn of a suitable quality can be procured. A mate
III ial composed OF coarse gravel and sand can pr
Ter badly be obtained near the State line, which wou
Irk answer the purpose by being mixed with pc
ton of broken stone; and the cost of stol
| over the last three miles of tho road amounts
tho not less than s}6.5S5, it might, perhaps be e
tn pedicnt to make the experiment. 1t would redu
ers the expense of those miles least one half.
The no certain estimate can be made of the cost u
lnl til it is ascertained whether tho material can
obtained in Quantities sufficient % Justify the @
pertinent, and the distance which it must
hauled
The note book accompanying this shows Il
levels of the ground and the course of the Roa
ter The accompanying profile shows the and fiji
ye, ratio of grade and the number, dime nsions a
q, sites of the drains and Bridges, with the perch
49, of masonry in each. 1t is also divided into mil
nm the whole length of the road from the point of
-, ginning TO the State line, being eleven miles a
~, fifty rods. An estimate is made of the cost
The each mile, showing the aggregate cost of ca
item, and the average cost per mile, all of viii
49,, with the drawings, &c. are herewith submitted
Very Respectfully Your obi. Scrvt.
ia, WIN. DEWEY, Civil Eng