The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-16
STREET PAVING.


mcnded to use the macadam in an uni
form thickness of six inches During
tho meeting, as correctly stated by THE
TIMES, opposed this thickness on the
ground that did not think it suHi-
clently thick to be applied to all the
StreetS-for instance, not on Jefferson
street. l also remarked that thought
the Council lad been q little too hasty in
passing resolution making the tn ok
ness uniformly for all streets six inches,
as they should have left it to the dis
erection of tho city engineer to pass
uaon the thickness of the macadam to
be used on the different streets.
Street paving is of vital Importance
to all citizens of Roanoke. The people
have voted an appropriation for this
purpose, and the Council, after some
delay. has at last taken action, perhaps
little hasty, in ordering certain streets
to be paved with macadam.
Now there is no question that mac
adam properly laid and afterwards
properly kept in order, makes very
good and cheap pavement. Mr.. Skinker
stated last Saturday that tho thick
ness of six inches had been adopted for
two reasons. One was on account of its
cheapncss and the other was owing to
the fact that it was intended as foun-
dation for future pavcments.
ECONOMY in municipal affairs is very
commcndablc. 1t Is an unQuestionablo
fact that tho first cost Of laying down
SIX inches Of macadam is cheaper than
that Of nine inches. But it i, not al
Ways tho cheap first cost which proves
the best economy in municipal work
AS far as Jefferson street goes | have
grave doubts that the chcapness of six
inches macadam will not before ncAt
spring, turn out TO be n nero waste of
money as to use the proposed mac
adam afterwards as n foundation fer
future pavements, l have no doubt that
this will answer very we'll for certain
streets, but at the same time, 1 am also
ve:Y doubtful about it's working on
other certain streets. 1 am afraid the
IN lcadam on this latter street might
prove very costly foundation.
Mr. Rawn, after giving a thorough
explanation of how the macadam should
be laid, cited several places, among
them bridgeport, Conn, and Central
Park, n. f.,wherc six inches macadam,
and at the latter place even four inches,
have been used with very good results.
| This is very true, both places have
come under my special observation
AS, continued Mr.. Rawn, with the heavy
steam rollers now in use, it is not
deemed necessary to use heavier mac
| adam.
With tho heavy steam rollers now in
use, the cited thickness of macadam at
bridgeport and Central Park does very
well. But MIR. Rawn failed to stare
that the conditions of the soil there are
entirely different from what we have
here AT bridgeport this soil, which
1orms the very important part Of tho
foundation or bed for the macadam, is
composed of hard gravel, dry Goa :
position, and ct Central Park, it is
formed OF had gravel, oftentimcs turn
ing into rock. Upon such a founda-
tlon, there IS no question that six inches
and even four inches of macadam
properly laid out, rolled down with
heavy steam rollers will do very we'll.
Then tho city engineer stated that he
thought six inches Of macadam would
be deep enough, as he knew OF cases
whore six inches had lasted for years
and made good streets. Good and cor
rect Mr.. Dunlap. Also know of such
Gases, but you only failed to state where
and what sort of foundation this six
Inches OF macadam rested upon. doubt
very much if it was the same kind of soil
as you find, for instance, on Jefferson
street. / am in favor of matchmaking
the streets of Roanoke, as it makes a
cheap and also clean and good pave
ment, when kept in proper order |
think also that six inches Of macadam
VIII do we'll on some of the streets pr,-
posed to be paved; but also think that
| others, as Jefferson street, which are
low, with soft soil easily made into fluid
| mud. should he macadamiZed otherwise.
Why not on such streets use tho Telford
| system, which is also broken stone
roads? His system is widely used in
Europe, especially in France, and no
other country SurpaSSeS France for the
excellence OF her public roads and
| streets.
| As for America, it is well-known
| fact recognized everywhere by cnci-
neerS, that we are far behind Europe in
road and street making. After Telforl,
the foundation for the macadam after
| the excavation has been made, is formed
By setting down by hand roughly formed
locks OF about five or six inches at tho
base and not less than four inches on
top. They are set rs closely together
as their form allows, the spaces between
filled i'll with clippings of stone. On
| top OF this foundation put four inches
| broken stones about two to two and a
half inches either direction. Put on the
! roller, roll them down we'll. On top of
| this layer put on two inches stone
broken to sizes of ono and half inches
and roll them down well, finally wind
ing up with layer of clean coarse
gravel rolled down with plenty of water
| sprinkled over. This will make pave
ment which will not exceed very much,
the estimated cost of $4,000 pr mile,
and which will do good servic on the
lower streets, as Jefferson street. where
the soil is soft and easily tura, I'D into
mud.
1T is time to do something for the
streets OF Il anoke. Let us do it; let us
use the money appropriated for this
nnrnaSo hut Ann,t u.acAo 1. L., .....--..: