The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-11

An examination of the asphalt pave
n,crt on parts of Lackawanna ana
washington avenues was maze yes
tt,oGy by the streets and bridges com
m'ttee of the board of trade ana Clty
Engineer Phillips The nee,' of resur-
facing the two avenues has been Tor
sometime considered by the board OF
trade and was referred to the commit
tee at the lasc meeting.
The committee was directed to APP
pear before the joint estimates COM
mittee of councils and try and have
provision made in the 1898 appropria-
tions for a new surface. The esti-
mates committee will meet tonight
when the board of trade representa-
tives will be present.
Yesterdays inspection by the city
engineer and Colonel f. l.. Hitchcock,
chairman, and f. S. Williams, of the
committee, proved true everything said
about the bad condition of the pave
ment. On Lackawanna avenue from
the river to Washington avenue and on
the latter thoroughfare to Gibson street
the surface of the pavement was found
to be beyond repair. 1t could be re-
paired perhaps but the job once start
ed would not be finished until the en-
tire surface had been relaid at a cost
fully one-third greater than would be
necessary If the whole surface down to
the concrete was torn up and a new
surface laid in one contract.
PAVE IN BAD CONDITION.
Along the whole of the route inspect
ed there could hardly be found a square
road of fairly good pavement. Many
- L. L.
concrete and about all of them were
as deep as the binder. on lower Lack
awanna particularly and at other
points on that and Washington ave-
nues the holes were pronounced posi-
lively dangerous. 1t was ascertained
that broken wheels, springs and aXles
were no uncommon thing and that
many horses had gone lame by false
steps into the holes.
Although much criticism has been
heaped upon the paving companies for
alleged imperfect work, it is not posi- =
Bile that the fault is wholly theirs. 1t
is plain, particularly on Lackawanna
! avenue, that much imperfect pavement
is traceable to the trenches dug by the
electric, steam, water and gas com
panes and individuals. Many of the
quickly packed and the surface after
wards paved with refuse asphalt Col
| onel Hitchcock and the city engineer
agreed upon this point.
1t was estimated by the city engineer
and the two members of the com
| mittee agreed with him--that it would
| cost about $4,000 to resurface the two
| avenues from the river to Gibson
street.
| COST OF RESURFACING.
The estimate was based upon a ten
year guarantee and the use of standard
asphalt. The surface involved covers
$4,000 square yards. The usual charge
on large resurfacing contracts with a
ten-year guarantee and the use OF
| standard material is 81 per square
yard.
The mission of the board of trade
| representatives tonight will be useless
| so far as having an estimate included
| in the 1898 appropriation ordinance is
| concerned. The estimates now are
| $4,000 above the amount appropriated
| last year and the 1898 revenue will al
low only $4,000 more to be appropri-
ated than in 1897. This $4,000 must be
| divided proportionately among the va
| rious departments. 1t is the general
| opinion that the street departments
1897 appropriation of $1,000 for repair.
| ing asphalt pavements will not be ma.
| terially increased.
| While the board Of trade agitation
seems bound to fail regarding the ap.
| preparation, the work of the boards
| committee and it's conference with the
estimates committee may help toward
| having a large sum for pavement re.
pairs included in the proposed bond or.
| dinance.