Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-08
PAYMENTS

e. 2-hting lamps in alleys under the appropriation Of
5000 for that purpose.
PAYMENTS.
The condition of the streets on the LIST of
1uiy last was as follows:
Nature Of p0Uemed Square Yards. Miles.
Concrete asphalt and coal
tar)- ,01723S 1872
StoHe Dioch 446.USy 16. Is
Nou1l Stone- $40. 40 100
Mdcsitldm 2l5.3.U 1.45
NIdNei 663.4 S2.25
Wood. Observation-Disclosures. 3SO.6S5 1910
Total improved. 8 3333 253 1880
OnlhIToNeu --....-..-. i. 1S2 40 800
The most important work executed on the
streets since the establishment of the present
fcrm OF government, in 1878, has been the
gradual replacement of the worthless wooden
payementS. The amount of this pavement still
remaining at various dates since the present
Commissioners came into office is as follows
Miles. So yards
July lSt. 1873. "a 100 600
july LIST. 1872 626 742
July lst. 1880 21 5O94Sl
SU!t Isl. 1851 .l6.I $50 6S1
Oi the amount last given about So 900 square
yards have been temporarily repaired with
gravel. 65.0 yards are included in contracts
made since July LIST. 1881. and nearly completed
and about 10000 yards can be replaced next
spring with the balance of the present an
preparation. There will, therefore be on the LIST
OF next July about 10 miles ofstreets, containing
nearly. if not quite, impossible and dangerous
Although a great many of the PRINCIPAL
thornuGhfares have now been properly paved
Yet many important streets are Included i'm these
Ten miles. such as portions of New Jersey, Mas
sachuSetts. Pennsylvania. New HAMPSHIRE
Rhode Island and Maryland avenues. and of 18th.
9Th. and p streets. The proper paving of these
and other streets now covered with fragments
OF wood exceeds IN Importance all other work
or the streets. and it is hoped that as much of
the current revenues pf tho
can possibly be spared. after the ordinary ex-
penses of the city are provided for will be ap-
prOpriated for this work
As stated in previous annual reports. since
1878 all pavements laid in this city have been of
certain standard descriptions to wit: A pave
ment OF aSphaltic concrete laid ON foundation
OF hydraulic cement concrete. for streets of
moderate grade and uniformly distributed travel:
ehd pavement OF granite blocks laid on a
foundation of well-rolled gravel and sand and
ceinented with tar and gravel i'm the Joints. for
streets OF heavy orcOnfined travel or steep grades
In addition one or two squares have been paved
each year with compressed asphalt blocks. lack
OF certainty as to the durability of this pavement
having prevented its use in larger Quantities
The qualities of these different parements
were discussed at length i'm the last annual
report. and 1t is not necessary to again describe
them. Certain minor changes have been made
Is the result OF large practical experience but
IN general terms the character of the pavements
mas rot been altered since 1873. The principal
OF these minor changes consist in LAYING granite
blocks IN the cutters, where the stamping of
horses in wet weather destroys the asphaltic
concrete. in paving the entire strip of two feet
next 10 railroad tracks (Which is paid for and
maintained by the railroad cOmpanies) in granite
blocks, and in purchasing all granite blocks in
ADVANCE so as to secure rigid inspection of
them.
In regard to the cost. the lowest figures were
reached in 1879. when very large amount OF as
PiiaIt pavement was laid at 81 At square ward
Since that date the price of this pavement has
h1sen 10 Sl-oo. and finally to S2.07 per yard. In
granite payements the price ruled at about 50 II
per YARD IN 1913 and gradually fell to s1.7S in
1871: II has since risen again and at present costs
about S22o per yard, The asphalt block pave
ment has varied iii price from 81 to 81 10 per
yard Present contracts make the cost of this
pavement about S1.S5 per square yard.
Ihe exact amount and cost of all pavements
!aiu III replacement of wood during the past
thFee years is shown in the following statement:
The cost includes setting curb and every other
Incidental expense. except salaries of District in
sfectors, which amount to about 5000 per
year.