, 1879-07-20
STREET-PAVEMENTS IN CHICAGO.

There Is no denying the fact that the
street-nayements OF this city are in frightfu
order, and the interests of business as vel
as the comfort Of the people demand an i'm.
provement in their condition The delay
in transportation, and the wear and tear or
man, beast, and vehicle occasioned by the
all but impossible condition of certain busi
ness thoroughfares, will soon incite the pub
lie to exact very general Improvements.
What shape such improvements shall take
is, consequently, a pertinent and interesting
inquiry.
It may be admitted that the wooden-block
pavement has its defects, the chief Of which
is its rapid decay as generally laid down and
Us universally abused by the public but
other pavements have defects also, and it is
matter of comparatire cost, desirability,
and durability which must be determined.
The Belgian pavement is not merely noisy,
but it is costly. There are no stone
formations in this part of tho country
from which the Belgian pavement can
be constructed, and it is doubtful
whether the people would consent to sustain
the serious cost of bringing boulders from a
long distance; it is also doubtful whether
the people Of Chicago, who have been accus-
toned to the wooden pavement, would en-
dure the noise inseparable from the Belgian
pavement. The limestone which is plentiful
and cheap in this part Of the country is un-
suited to the Macadam pavement; it chips
and czumbles, and is quickly ground down
into dust that water converts into the nasti-
est Of mud. The so-called asphalt pave
ments which have been laid in Chicago, IN
which asphalt as rule is very small inere-
dient, have not resisted the seventies of our
climate; if made solid enough to bear the
scorching rays Of the summer sun, it cracks
and goes to pieces under the influence of the
extreme cold of winter, while an adaptation
to the winter climate cannot resist the sum.
mer heat.
All experiments thus far for the streets
which bear the heavy travel in this city have
forced return to the wooden payements,
Of these We have had an infinite variety.
Tbs best and most durable was the original
block pavement constructed Of white oak,
The miles Of pavement laid with unseasoned
pine have done much to bring the system
into dlsrepute, but the more recent expert
ments with the cedar blocks have largely
counteracted the prevailing dissatisfaction.
1t must be remembered that most Of the
wooden pavements now in decay we're laid
upon streets nevl y filed in with loose dirt
the filing has all been done IN most of the
streets, and has had time to settle and pack,
so that there will be a better foundation for
future paving. There is also reason
to believe that the foundation can be
improved by laying hagstones upon
The sub-bed Of sand, and then laying
Ehe wooden blocks. A strip Of this pavement
Fas laid last year on Dearborn street, near
he intersection of Madison street, and
t is lasting we'll Another piece of
pavement similar in construction is now
being laid On LaSalle street, between
lake and Randolph, md property
vii DO well to examine. It is claimed that !
he. first cost Of the pavement is only one
hlrd more, that the wooden. blocks wear
onger, and that the cost Of relaying is two
birds less.
With cedar-block pavements laid upon
1agstone foundation in the principal thor
ughfares; with cobblestones between the |
orse-railroad tracks; and, finally, with
ravel or Macadam pavement on the residence
nd cross streets, Chicago would have an ad-
o1raole system for business purposes and
reet-travel But proper treatment, increas-
'g care, and timely repairs are essential
the maintenance Of such system in good
ondition. The first and most important
recaqtion to be taken before any general
5stem Of repavine is begun is to compel the