Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1868-11-26
Road improvements in Fay
cite County, OHIO.

On many of the Turnpike improvements
now building in our county, the people are
complaining that the work is not progressing
in accordance with the specifications and con-
tracts for the same; and that to all appear
ances the works on some Of the roads will not
be completed within the specified time of the
contracts, because of the dilatoriness of the
Contractors. The people don't relish the Idea
OF being taxed for road that was to be finish
ell this season, and be deprived Of the benefit
of II till some other season, all for the want
of energy, or owing to the cupidity of the Con
tractors. The grading on many of the roads
is particularly deficient; the amount of dirt
or earth called for in the Specifications, never
was thrown up into the road to form the sur
face grade, as evidenced by the depth and
width Of the bitches, The depth and width Of
the bitches, according to the specifications ort
the roads sold this season, being not less than
IS inches deep and not less than 3 feet wide,
with surface grade Of an eliptical form ris-
ing from the edges of the bitches to 10 inches
high in the centre of the road. The amount
of eirth contained in such a surface grade is
equivalent to 1Oel cubic yards to each rod in
length, and is the amount of solid earth re-
quired by the specifications for 80 feet grade
think that every close observer will ad-
nit that the side ditcher on these roads will
not ayerage6 0 feet wide and Is inches deep and
probably not II inches deep and cut sloping
from the inner to the outer edge as most ofI
the bitches are, they will yield less than 1--WE
cubic yards of earth to the rod from both |
bitches; being less than half the amount due |
the taxpayers on that item
understand that the County Commission
ers have issued Q emptOry orders to all the
Engineers to require of the Contractors a
strict compliance with their Specifications in
that respect; that Is well and ii win he bet
ter still if they will see to it at their final set
tlement that ample deductions are made for
all such non compliance with their contracts.
The grading or fall of the bitches in many
places Is left incomplete when theygrade is
put on the road, and many Of the outlets are
also unimproved; all Of which Is direct vio-
lation OF the most positive requirements OF
the specifications and materially Injuries the
road. because the dirt taken out afterwards in
grading the ditch is generally thrown
on the banks or fence corners instead of be-
ing carried into the bed Ofthe road as it sho'ld
be- The excuse generally offered for such
negligence is that they are waiting for d rain
I'd show them which way the water runs. For
such would suggest the employment of an
Irish SohOomaster with a spade and shovel
in his hands, to give them a few lessons in
Dynamios. The gravel, as a general rule, is
pretty fair as to quality, and will make dur
able roads On some, however, II appeared as
II she Contractor had entirely misappruhend-
ID the requirement. of his specifications call
ing for gravel free from dirt or soil, and con
strued il to mean sand or gravel mixed with
,lay or dirt in about equal proportions. As
matter of course. the least that the people ex-
1ect of the County Commissioners in such ca
les is to make ample deductions TO cover all
such deficiencies, and convince all parties
hat such Sinking is not profitable, and will