The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-11-15
Pavenents.

PaVementS.
on July 1, 1884, there were 1902 miles of
paved streets In the city, and S044 miles of
unimproyed streets. The concrete pavement
amounted TO 1898 miles, and the macadam
36.O3. The balance consisted Of wood, gravel,
cobblesfone and stone blocks.
AT the beginning OF the year there remained
2.i2 miles OF the old wooden pavement. The
appropriation asked OF Congress for Its re.
placement was reduced so much that Il was
used partially for paving streets on Capitol
Hill. There still remains about H. miles OF
the wooden pavement. 1t is hoped that he
The cost OF laying 1t was "a, 900 900.
The pavements, as now laid, arc OF three
classes, depending upon tho trafiic and grade
q the street, viz; Granite blocks, sheet as.
phalt, and asphalt blocks, the durability and
the cost being In the order stated.
The average cost per square yard is as fol-
lowe; Granite, s2.0o; asphalt, 1925; asphalt
blocke, s2.l0.
A large amount of new work, far In excess
OF their proportion OF taxes, was projected for
the eastern and southern sections OF tue city.
Tho report shows tho percentage OF the
whole tax assessment on each OF the four sec
tions OF the city and Georgetown, aud what
percentage of the appropriation for repairs
Is TO be expended In each section for the pres
ent fiscal year.
The assessment on the southeastern section
was .O5ls,, and they are to get 11la per cent.
OF the improvements; northeast, .04la per
cent. assessment, and receive 1874 per cent.
OF the improvements; Georgetown, IA per
cent. assessment, and to receive .O6 per
cent. OF the improvements; southwest, o.,
assessment, and to receive 20l2 per cent. OF
tho improvements.
This shows that the northwestern section
was assessed for 10 per cent. OF the whole as.
sessment and only receives 15yJ per cent. of
the improvements.
An annual appropriation OF $4,000 is made
contractors five years have expired, during
which time he has to pay for all repairs. There
Is also 500, 900 appropriation for repairing
pavements OF all other kinds.
From this II will be seen that the annual
cost OF maintaining the luxury ofslxty miles OF
smooth-surface pavements is about $4,000,
or 1888 per mile.
Street repairs other than on concrete pave.
ments arc all conducted by days labor under
most efficient superintendent OF Streets, Mr..
The report OF the superintendent OF Streets
is embodied in this report, and was recently
published.
Cleaning of Streets and Alleys.
The streets and alleys that are paved are
| pally by gangs from the workhouse. Next
spring II Is proposed to advertise for bids for
ance with the authority granted for this pur.
| pose by Congress at Its last session.
The es od6 for od this work is Increased
| sequence or the Increased work.
Lighting the Streets.
superintendent Bailey's report shows the
| following:
Number OF lamps June 80, 1SS3.."... a,27G
Erected 1888 81 Observation-Disclosures. 03
Discontinued ..'....,.......,..,.,..
nellsn,ed ................ ................ g
Number OF lamps June 30, 1ss4.,.. 1896
tits estimated that ITO lamps will BIO erected
during the curront year and the first month OF
next year, making 4470 lamps to be pro.
vided for during 19S5'S6. OF these 90 are
| chhrgeable 10 the railroad companies, and the
| balance paid for by the city at the rate OF 500
per lamp: The entire expense last year was
| The report OF the Parking Commission was
| also printed recently. During the last year
3,47S trees have been planted, and 800 old
| l, 1884, was 90, 4S7, OF 80 varieties, covering
| 11O miles OF streets.
| County Roads.
| The appropriation for county roads durina
| tho past year was 100000. OF this 1t wai
| necessary 10 expond S4,605.SS In continuing
| tho reconstruction OF Sevonth-street Road, thu
| most important highway leading into tho city
| which was completely worn out. The balance
| was expended In small amounts where mos
needed In keeping the roads In as good orde
| as was possible. II was not sunlclent 10 kool
| them In good order, however.
The county OF Washington Is very completed!
| trayersed by roads. Having an area OF barely
| 80 square miles, II has 116 miles OF roads
| some OF these, like the Seventh.street Road
Lincoln avenue and Bl9densbqrg road, on tht
NORTH Tennallytown Road, beyond George
| town, and Good Hope and Bennings roads, OF
| the east, are the main lines Of communication
| by which the produce OF tho SURROUNDING
| country reaches the city, and are very heavily
| travelled. Others, like Fourteenth street and
| Woodley Lane, are either pleasure drives OF
| crossroads alfotding access TO farms.
| II the District has the money next year T.
| make the improvement II Is believed that thI
| land can DO secured free OF cost for drive
| along the bank OF Rock Creek from the P-stree
| bridge 10 Plerco's mill.
New survey of the District
Under the direction OF Major J. W. Donu, o
tho United States Coast and GsOdetlc survey
me typographical survey OF the District has
progressed satisfactorily, and some interesting
facts were discovered.
| a, ny main object Of this survey Is 10 afforC
lne uhlh LOT laying out new and extending ole
Ioadr, anu ior properly subdiyiding county
properly as II 10 laid out In suburban street
and lots. But It's minute accuracy Will MAKE
II useful Tor all time In planning public works
| OF every description.
| In connection with this survey, during thu
| past season the four corner monuments ~ the
! District, as established by Ellicott In 179it