Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-03-08
HIGHWAYS OF EUROPE.
Scientifically Constructed and Maintained.
Materials Used.

Scientifically Constructed and Maintained.
Materials Used.
Roads in Europe are not mere strips
Of land set apart for public use and left
to be worn into tracks as the necessities
of communication may occasion. They
are structures just as truly as are pub"
lie buildings, scientifically planned
and built, and sharply differentiated
from the surrounding country. The
roadway has its given width, on levels
is usually raised somewhat above the
adjacent land is bordered on both sides
by deep trenches, or canals, for proper
drainage, and where necessary is sup
ported by solid masonry. The sides are
planted with fruit, poplar, Eastwood
and other trees or protected by stone
walls at dangerous points, as the case
may be. All bitches, brooks and small
water courses are spanned by stone cul-
verts, often of elaborate construction,
while projecting spurs of rock on the
mountain slopes are pierced by tunnels.
Slanting sides are usually covered witt
grass, which is kept neatly trimmed.
This prevents washing by rains and add
permanency to the structure. Many
roads, especially in the 'Gountain re-
gions, with their windings, huttrcsscs.
culverts, walls and tunnels. are monu-
ments of the highest engineering skill.
The materials out of which roads are
made in Europe may be classed I'M
der three varieties-trap, or basalt,
GRANTEES, including some of the harder
sedimentary rocks, and limestone.
Where the first two are easily Obtalna-
BILE they are exclusively used, trap be
ing preferred to the GRANTEES. In many
regions limestone, being the only ma
terial at hand, has to be employed.
Trap, having the densest and hardest
structure, makes the most durable road.
Being more resistant to crushing force
and least affected by frost, it is particu
larly adapted to roads which are used
for heavy teaminS, outwearinS granite
for this purpose. The harder rocks of
the granite series make very service"
able roads, even for teaming, and excel
lent ones for driving.
Limestone roads at their best are the
finest of all for driving and riding pul-
poses. Not so hard us the trap ana
granite roads, they possess certain de-
gree of elasticity, i'll virtue of which the
carriage or bicycle rolls over them with
less jar and with peculiar ease of mo-
ton which eXerts a most pleasing effect,
the nearest approach to which is that
experienced in riding on good asphalt
pavement. This elasticity is most
marked at that period after rain when
the surface has set thoroughly, but has
not become dry enough to be rubbed
into dust. Unfortunately, owing to the
softness of the material, limestone roads
deteriorate rapidly and require constant
care to keep them in good order. They
also soften easily under the action Of
frost and water, so that in the spring
and during rainy seasons they are la
BILE to become heavy.
Material for repairs is kept constant
ly on hand at short intervals on the
sides of many highways, particularly i'll
Germany. The rock is carried to the de-
sired spot in pieces IL or IS inches in
diameter, and these are broken up 10y
the road repairers into fragments l., to
inches in diameter and piled in little
heaps ready for use.
The best roads have only gravel
enough mingled with and covering the
upper layer OF small stones 10 DlHo THESE
firmly together and make a smooth sur
face. More than this amount serves to
make dust and mud and 20 impair the
efficiency of the road. Frequently tie
small stones, well cemented together,
appear as a part of the surface, like
those in certain kinds of concrete pave
ments. Roads of the best constructions
do not soften appreclably under ram
and can be used as comfortably i'll
stormy as is pleasant weather.-New
York Post.