The times., 1899-12-12

The matter Of paving the streets Of the
District viii probably be one Of the most
important things that The Commissioners
VIII take up this winter Numerous petit
lions are received at the District Building
every week requesting some improvement
in the existing condition of the various
roadways of The city, and from present in
dications it appears TO be the desire of the
municipal authorities TO satisfy some of
these demands
There have been a number of objections
filed TO the use OF granite block in street
paving. The General Government has rec
ognized the disadvantages Of this style of
paving and has substituted asphalt
wherever granite block was used near pub
lie buildings. Captain Beach, the Engineer
Commissioner OF the District. is anxious TO
make the same substitution along the busi-
ness centres of the city. and viii attempt
20 have a number Of bills passed by Con-
gress during the present session with this
object in view. Seventh Street from +
Street north is one of the most important
jhorCuehfaTes that viii be paved during
the coming year. There have been a num-
ber of complaints received at the District
building regarding this street and the an
noyauce caused by the noise made by
heavy wagons rollins over it during busi-
ness hours. Ii is one of the most impor-
tant business streets in the city and il is
The intention OF the Commissioners to re-
pave u as soon as possible. The paving
VIII be done as far as K Street, and prob
ably farther if Congress viii permit.
The citizens of Brightwcod are anxious
that similar action should be taken with
regard TO Brightwood Avenue. which is
really continuation of Seventh Street.
The roadway, al some points, is ninety
teet wide and has recently been greatly
improved through the use OF macadam on
lis surface 1t is the wish of the citizens
living on its borders TO have the street
paved with asphalt. The plan is TO pave
it with the asphalt and granite block sys-
TEN. The middle Of the roadway will be
covered with asphalt On each side Of which
d strip of granite block viii be placed.
Ii is believed, by the paving experts in the
employ Of the District that this system
gives the best results and furnishes an eX-
cellent roadway.
Another important Improvement which
is contemplated is the repaving of c
Street northeast from First Street to
Stanton Square For a number of years
this street has had granite block surface
which has caused great deal of annoy
ance to the residents Of the section through
which il passes. In the past few years
s street car line has been constructed
through it, and q great deal Of traffic
passes along the thorougbfare daily com
ing from and going into the northeast Sec
tion of the city. The need of asphalt for
paving mas been felt for long time. and
it is probable that this will be included in
the schedule OF Improvements which is
being made up by the officers Of the En-
giueer Department OF the District. The
granite block which will be removed from
these streets viii be used in connection
with the paving of the county roads. Cap
tain Beach is very much in favor Of paving
all OF the streets in the city with asphalt
and using il to some extent in the road
ways beyond the city limits. 1t has been
found that it costs cents per square
yard TO keep macadam road in repair while
the sheet asphalt and granite block can be
kept in good condition for about ! cent
per square yard.
The Improvement Of the Benning Road
which has Just been completed shows the
advantages possessed by the sheet asphalt,
granite blocks, and the macadam surfacing
over the old style macadam. This is one
of the most frequently used roads in the
District, and the work of improving it,
which was commenced last July, has been
carried on without interfering with traffic
TO the slightest extent The improvements
at this place have cost about $4,000. The
estimates for the proposed Improvements
viii be made as soon as the Engineer Com
missioner receives the necessary appro-
priatious from Congress.