New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-22
MORE STREET IMPROVEMENTS
THE USE OF ASPHALT BLOCKS INCREAS-
ING IN NETWORK

New-Yorkers who have observed the zeal mani
Tested by the communities soon to be Joined to the
present metropolis TO get pablo improvements ac-
compishsd before actual consolidation takes place.
In the expectation that the New-York that now IS
will bear n considerable share In paying for them.
must take certain satisfaction ir seeing I'M
portant improvements energeticaly pushed here
also In particular special efforts are being put
forth to better the pavements Of the city on
large scale
An in1portant work on the East Side which was
begun last year is now completed. namely, the re-
paving Of First-ave. with asphalt from twentieth
ST. TO Cne-hundred-a nd -ninth-st., and 1t Is MADE
the more valuable by the paving with the same
material cf Northumberland -fourth-st. between
First and Fifth ayes This gives now approach
to Central Park. e-hundred-and foufth-st. Is
only a short distance from one OF the PARK en-
frances In connection with Second-ave.. already
paved south of Twenty second-st this makes
continuous asphalt thoroughfare on the extreme
East Side Of the city, ard 1t is already much USED
by riders OF blcy les The only objection made 10
IL is that night part OF tirst-ave Is poorly
lighted. 1T Is as dark as a pocket. said man
who drove IT evening or TWO ago. III ~
understood that steps will be taken at once to
provide the avenue with more adequate lights
The contract for the matchmaking Of the Bou-
ievard Lafayette has been let. and hrst-cass JOB
at n low price is assured. In the opinion OF inter-
estcd officials in the Department OF Public Works
Unfortunately this work will not be completed
the present year There is about a mile OF sewer
be aIl along the Boulevard. and this II VIII be
impossible to finish before next spring. The rest
OF the drive will be macada mzed in the best FASH
ion the work can be done About
mile at the lower end and half mile at the upper
end will N all probability be ready for use before
the end OF this season. but 1t is not expected that
the entire Boulevard will be available for use be-
fore June OF next year
lions ua for smooth
pavcments on a large number Of additional streets
A fresh list presented to the Board of Esti-
mate by Commissioner Coils last week. and VIII no
doubt be favo-ably acted on in few days This
week Tuesday. bids Will be opored at the offl,e
of the chief cle~k OF the Public Works Depart
ment for not less than forty-one paving contracts
blocks With III latter style OF pavement the peo
pie of this city comparatively unfamiliar as
The hrst asphalt blocks were aid here as long
ago al 49, nd hSys sy i've, S99 200" thos de
adavs AMI they put down with the
care. At that period IN the evolution OF
pavements 1t thought the correct thing 10
place the blocks directly on sand. ana the same
blocks. 1t Is little wonder that under the pressure
of heavy travel surh ravements soon become un-
and II the joints between the blocks are well filled
with cement such pavement is sure 10 remain IN
Of asphalt blocks refused to give the same
Sxsssed Of IT., the S" y.G
much confidence their product that they are will
ing to guarantee TO keep pavenents In order iot
1t Is believed by those who have given close aten
blocks have some advantages over sheet asphalt.
For one thing they AFFORD s1me what better foot
suclr as make it dangerous for teams to he
driven on ordinary asphalt: but in icy weather it Is
the two materials. The cost Is about the same In
oihsr cas@ Another thing that has seine weight
regular asphalt companies too large number Of
riAs no hos nj 10
facturers of aspha; blocks will result In good to
the city in reducing the cost Of improved pave
ments
At all events. thirteen Of the ,hIrty.sevsn con:
pavement on concrete foundation. The streets 10
be thus paved are as follows:
One-hundr ,d-and-third-st.. from Fourth to Fifth
ave
northumberland from the Boue-
ward to Riverside Drive.
One-hundred- nd-twenty- nfth-st from Clare
Northumberland thirty-seventh-st.. from Sew
Ore-hundred-and-fo rty-sixth-st.. from Eighth to
-hundred-and-forty- seventh-st. from Eighth
10 Bradhurst-ave.
Bradhurst-ave.
Bradhurst-aye., from one.hundred -and-forty
ifth 10 One-hundred- and -fftieth-st.
Observation-Disclosures v 'nty-ninth-st., from Kings
bridge Road to Amste-dam-ave
lcvard TO Amsterdam ave.
northumberland eiGhty-seventh-st. from tn.
Boulevard to Amsterdam-ave.
Asphalt blocks are made of a mixture Of asphalt
and crushed traprock. Formerly limestone was
used instead Of trap but the product was found 10
be too soft II il question whether the blocks
now turned out not little too hard: some OF
the experts think that II they were somewhat more
yielding horses would be able TO retain their foot
hold on them better The blocks subjected to
great hydraulic pressure and are almost firm :
granite paving stones. They perfectly smooth
however and II well laid the pavement is equal to
sheet asphalt.
Asphalt blocks have the advantage over vitrined
bricks tha: they are less noisy WHEN horses and
wagons pass over them pavement OF this ma
terial can be repaired somewhat more easily than
ordinary asphalt whom II Is necessary TO tear II
W for any purpose. II Is said to have the further
advantage that, after being In use number OF
years and getting badly worn. Il can be used
as the foundation for regular asphalt pavement
the asphalt being laid directly on 1t without any IN
tcrvening binder even.
RnID RQDKG