New-York tribune., 1896-11-22
OUR IMPROVED PATEMENTS.

To apprcciatc 10 the fnll the statements rc-
car,ling our asphalt pavcmcnts made by water
Purvcyor North and presented on another page
of this issue of The Tribune the reader should
have before his eyes Il map of the city streets
showing what has been done in the last lew
years toward improving the pavcmcnts of New
York. The progress we have made III this III
rection has been immense. This city passed ont
of the cOhbestOnc stage some time ago p'l' u
is perfectly obvious fact that many of the
Belgian block pavcmcnts TO be found III our
streets are only one remove from the most
primitive form of paving known to the dwcl!rrs
in cities: and it is. unhappily, true also that
some of the granite blocks put down In busi-
ness thoroughfares in recent years have not
been we'll laid. and have disclosed unevennessrs
and signs Of wear far too early. The era Of AS
phalt began within two or three years. and the
putting down Of this form of improved pave
mcnt has gone on with leaps and bounds. cs-
pecially since the administration Of Mayor
Strong came In
The present year has seen the beginning Of
the requirement. Of Fifth-ave south Of the Park
"A work which will require much time because
of the water mains, etc. which must be laid
before the surface of the roadway Is COM
pIctcu III is n source OF ETaIlncHlloll ll1Hi 'H''
chief avenue Of approach to Central Park Is
at last to have pavement worthy OF so I'M
portant street, of the Park to which 1t leads.
and Of the American metropolis. There Is
hope too, that the asphalt pavement will he
continued alongside Of the Park 10 connect with
that already provided north Of Nincticth-st.
Aside from Fifth-ave the most importnn, as
phalt work of the year has been done in First
tl,, .l..tr, ,t,tt no
tics Of certain railroads having rights there" the
progress has been less rapid than was cx-
pcctcd. and only portion of the new pave
mcnt to he laid between Twentieth and One
hundrcd-and- ninth SITS has been completed.
4 large number of other streets have been
paved with asphalt during the year now closing.
generally with the idea of carrying out plans
previously formed for connecting streets or
parts of streets paved before. or for providing
what may he termed through routes. Asphalt
strips have been laid for the benefit Of bicycle
riders at the sides OF the roadway I'm parts OF
Madlson-ave. and the entire length Of lIud-
son-st. They have been found Of great adyan-
tage TO wheemen. although in n thoroughfare
so extensively used as IIudsonst they not
Of much service during business hours. II Is n
satisfaction 10 know that smooth pavcmcnfs
are being provided In the vicinity Of some Of
the ferries. and we are glad 10 see that En-
gneer North's plans for next year contemplate
a number OF additional Improvements Of this
sort.
The sanitary and other advantages of as
phalt are too patent 10 require pointing oui.
Beyond question the pavemenis laid in ihr
crowded quarters on the East Side have beer Of
great benefit 10 the tenement house population.
This species Of pavement cannot he employed 10
advantage on steep grades or on streets devoted
to heavy traffic; hut for residence regions and
thoroughfarcs used TO- driving and wheeling t
is the best by far that has yet been devised.
1t can be readily cleaned or flushed. II absorbs
no filth or germs. II is not unduly expensive.
And it is to he hoped that the laying Of asphalt
will he continued until New-York becomes in
truth thoroughly wellpnvcd city.