Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-12-31


ng the timber, and especially, upon The
expense of grading and bridging, which
can only be determined by actual sprevy.
With regard TO the ability and economy
Of Plank roads, | can only sey, that all Of
tho roads that travelled over or examin-
ed, were comparativ ely new-he Oldest
having been in use but one year. | could
hot therefore, determine wnat would be the
effect Of large amount Of heavy transpor-
tation passing over them for several years.
They are certainly a very pleasant road
TO travel over; the melton of the carriage
being less than that Of railroad car on
most Of the rail roads.
Where economy is 10 be considered, tbs
Plank road is. in my opinion, the best sub
stitu,e that can he devised for the McAdam
road; and | think the principle we'll adapt
ed 10 the building Of roads in Illinois.
From my own observation, and from
eohyefsng with Messrs. Keefer and Grow
ski, civil engineers, and Mr.. William Hale
superintendent, should recommend some
modification in the plan Of superstruc,ure
as adopted in Canada, which would dImin-
ish the cost, and in my opinion, not impair
the utility Of the road.
Where a double track is required, the
planking should be sixteen feet wide; but
would use only three bear muding tirnbers
or siils, 3 in. x 6, instead Of five, 4 in G
And when single track is required, |
would make the planking only nine feel
wide instead OF Twelve, and use but two
mud sills. Again, insead of placing the
plank edge to edge, would place them al
least hall an inch apart; and dispense with
the use Of spike or tronails.
The reasons for these mod fcations are
briefly these: 1t is evident Il at the per
manence of plank road, must depenC
upon the plan< having n firm and uniform
bearing upon the earth, throughout thei
entire bed, and not depend upon the muf
sils for their support. The mud sills are
only useful 10 facilitate the moro pe:fec
levelling 0flhe road bed for the plank, ant
for a temporary support, that will Ike p then
in adjustment until they become perfectly
settled and bcdded then, if il were pracil
cable, believe the mud stills might be en-
,rely removed without any oct imen, to the
read. BY having fewer mud slls, The
cross drains are more easily and perfectly
AIDE. These are OF great Importance &c
carry off the wa'er mat settles beneath
the plank, especially when the road is in
clined.
BY laying the plank half an inch apur
j, gives the sand an opportunity 10 sottls
between them, and Gil up any small cavi
ties that may cur from an irregular set
fling Of the road. This W uld make the
Bearing perfect; and the sand would soor
become so firmly packed between the plank
as TO form n very considerable bond.
The plank being covered with earth anl
sand as described, is. in my opinion, quite
sufficient to keep them in their places, with
out the aid of ether spike or trenails.
Understanding that your committee desire
mo to present an estimate of the cost OF
building plank road from Chicago TO Rock
ford, have prepared an estimate which ]
submit with diflidence.
In the following estimate have assumed
the road TO be gradad uniformly thirty feet
wide. From Chic lgo TO the Desplains riv.
or, or II miles, have estimated tho plank
ing l6 feet wide for a double track; and
from the Desplains river TO Rockford, Or "a
miles, 9 feet wide, for single track with
the addition for making ton miles of tho "a
wide enough for double track to be dis
irbutcd in the vicinity of the towns through
which the road may be located.
Estimate from Chicago to Dcsplains river
Grading, Birding, and lateral
drains, S !00 &C
10000 Il. board measure, 3 n.
pine plank, delivered on the
road, at So 50, 1914 81
Laying down superstructure, $50 &C
Est per nile, 1924 sc
This is an estimate Tor the double track
the single track is estimated proportionably
making with all contingencies, the whole
amount of expense from Chicago to Rock
ford, S3l2, 1871 -. The average COS, pc
mile $3.50 81.
have supposed the plank will be obtain
ed fion Michigan for eleven miles of the
road west from Chicago, which according te
the best inio:mliion | can obtain, will cos
delivered i'll Chicago, seven dollars and fifty
cents per thousand feet, and about one Go.
lar per thousand to distribute it along the
road. For the remainder Of tho rold have
estimated white, or burr oak, which sup
po'o will cost somewhat more at the mills
and more TO deliver it on the road.
Respectfully submitted by
Your obedicnt servant,
EDWARD Il. TALCOTT,
SPECULATlONS OF LETTER WRI.
TIERS.
Correspondence Of the rrening Post.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA, 1874.
NJ Eronn al.