The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1901-10-25
A Talk About Roads.
Cat Ridge. XIV

Mr., Editor The small child,
the society woman, those least eX-
perienced, will detect the presence
OF a good road; yet they cannot
give a single substance or mode Of
construction. In fact the condi-
tlons necessary for a good road are
very little understood.
The first important step in road
making is the location. This in
wolves consideration of their
alignment and their grades, and
although these subjects are both
OF vital Importance they are sell
dom properly understood or con-
sidered In determining the loca-
ton of public highways. The sub
sequent value OF a road as a public
highway and means for transporta-
tion will depend largely upon the
judiclous and proper location OF ii
with reference to its alignments
and grades.
The grades OF a road will not on.
ly directly limit the speed OF trav-
Of and the magnitude OF the loads
that can be handled over it when
in a given condition, but by hlflu-
encing the conditions relating to
drainage, they will indirectly and
TO no inconsiderable extent effect
the conditions OF the roadway also.
A road properly constructed and
maintained, will be to a large ex-
tent good or bad according as its
grades are favorable or unfavora-
BILE. Therefore, the grades should
be the paramount consideration in
the location Of a road.
Many Of our present county roads
are but the old "cut outs" from set
tloment to settlement in the pio-
neer days, and the construction OF
these into roadways were of neces-
slty as the country developed.
Miles aud miles have since been
located around steep hills, over
rocky points and across hollows
through branches and across creek
all to the satisfaction OF the land
owners and citizens along ther cute
regardless Of the oath OF the view.
ers.
But, friends, charity is the great
est virtue, and we must judg,
men in the age in which they liv
ed: and as we have now passed
the age of the horse mill, the OLE
flint lock, pit.saws and shooting
matches, pack saddles and slides
we are expecting better things
Conditions are entirely diiteren
now and the public have a RICH
to expect that advanced progress
in their public highways that II
manifest in other public enter
prises.
In the location and construction
of the public highways at the pres
ent day we have attained NOR,
modern ideas, yet we are not per
feet by large per cent. Much o
the trouble lies with. the court il
appointing men to view roads. A
a rule these men are not eng : n. No
They neither understand nor APP
pfecfate the engineering feature
involved. Neither have they tn
moral courage to go up against tn
wishes Of a neighbor in contrac
for what is right. They seem I,
think that all essential condition
are fulfilled il the road is reasona
bly, direct between terminal point
and location in such a position a
to be satisfactory to the propert.
along the route.
The value OF country property Il
affected to no inconsiderable ex
tent by the condition OF the road
leading to the market towns, an,
It is greatly to theinterest Of prop
orty owners that these roads b
constructed and maintained In lib
hest manner consistent with
reasonable expenditure. This enC
can be attained only by good en-
gineering In the location and con
rlructlon and by intelligent super
vision in the maintenance.
Cold Blast