Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-09-04
THE NARROW ROADWAY
Advantages Of Such Road
ways in Economy
and Looks.

village state until dirt roads are sue
cesded by paved streets. In recent
visit to the city of Grand Rapids.
Mich. the writer was struck by the
cleanliness of the streets and ar first
looked forthe cause in some improved
methods of cleaning. A large portion
of the streets of the city were ira
'versed and the reason for the cleanli-
ness was apparent when it was dis
covered that the residence portion of
the city was very generally paved.
Recognizing that the first cost of paw
ing is large and consequently deters
many residents from desiring the
same, an investigation was commenced
regarding the narrowest roadway up
on residence streets that would accom-
modate thetraffic and at the same time
present an attractive appearance. It
seems to require no argument to prove
that the width of any roadway should
be adapted to it's traffic demands. For
instance Nicollet avenue is fifty feet
between curbs. The carriages standing
along each side Of the pavement oc-
cupy considerable space so that the
amount left for actual use is only
about thirty feet. On account Of the
large traffic it would, mo doubt, be de-
sirable to have the pavement several
feet wider than it is at present. Or
the contrary, unimportant residence
streets need but comparatively narrow
roadways. From an examination Of
streets in various cities and informa-
tion obtained from engineers, it
seems that nnimportant cross streets
ought not to be paved wider than
twenty-four feet between curbs.
The advantages OF narrowpaving are
as follow:
First-Lessened original cost.
Second-Maintenance. A sprinkling
cart can cover 2 lwentyfour foot
pavement with one passage over it,
whereas, if the pavement is thirty
feet or wider. it is necessary to 60
over the same block twice, thus doub-
ling the cost of street sprinkling If
the street is Kept clean by sweeping,
twenty four feet will present one. fifth
less surface than a pavement of thir-
ty feet. which heretofore has been
considered by our people as the
minimum width.
= Tnird-Healthfulne There can be
no question tnat greensward. without
its ACCOMPANYING ent of dust. is more
heal1hful for community than apave-
ment.
Fourth-The street with narrower
roadways can be lighted better, as
the street lamps will be placed at the
outer side of the boulevard away
from the trees.
Fifth-The wider boulevards affords
more soil, more air and more water
to the roots of the tree in the boule-
ward, thus increasing their growth
and beauty
Sixth The water mains, gas mains
and wire conduits are in the boule-
ward rather than under the paving
consequently, the paving once down,
need never again be disturbed.
Seventh-The narrow paving pre-
sents less surface for the accumula-
tion of dirt and dust which, blown
about, Injuries clothing. furnit ure
and carpets, to say nothing of the
deleterious effects upon the exterior
of residences.
The only objections ever heard are
First-Thst the twenty four foot
roadway will not accommodate its
trsfio. The idea is entirely wrong.
The distance between the curb and
the street car rail of Henuepin avenue
is approximately twenty-four feet.
Any one watching the traffic on the
street and seeing the great number Of
team passing between the curb and
rail will be convinced that the place
is ample to accommodate the traffic
upon the ordinary residence street.
The second objection is that teams
cannot turn around upon twenty -four
foot streets. This also is an error, az
any vehicle in the city mounted upon
platform springs, or an ordinary ex.
press wagon. can east ly be turned on q
twenty four foot roadway There
may be difficulty to turn in this
width, but what harm is it go one
hundred or two hundred feet further
at the street intersection?
If one has not studied this subject
and observed the use and effect of
narrower roadways in other cities
than he is accustomed to in this, he