Evening journal., 1907-02-11
DRAINAGE
OF ROADS

W. R. Colt in a paper read before the
recent Missouri good rooads conven-
tion. Exercising it's proper functions,
all roads are good roads, metaling OF
the surface being simply question Of
how much a community can stand and
without drainage would be Intellectual
and worthless. study OF the topogra-
ply Of the region through which the
road is to pass, the quantity Of traffic
to be served, the comfort and con-
venience Of those who use it. should
determine the best location for a road,
and these require the study Of one
qualified and educated for the work.
A level road is most desirable and
economical; hence one should seek to
locate a road so rs 70 obtain the light
est grades. as 4 proper estimate OF
grades is one Of the most important
parts Of the science Of road building.
The perfectly level road is the best
for transportation. but it costs less to
maintain a road on a slight grade than
on a level, as longitudinal ruts are LA
bic to be formed and interfere with the
drainage. Any earth road surface is
greatly benefited by having longitudi-
nal drainage and is not so likely to be-
come soft and muddy IN rainy times as
level road; hence the advisability Of
introducing slight grades at intervals
for this purpose The gradient OF the
road will be determined by the amount
OF traffic to be accommodated.
Disposal OF storm water is quite as
important as location and grade and
should have the constant consideration
Of the locating engineer. Money ex-
pended IN intelligent study of location,
grade and drainage gives more return
than any other expenditure, drainage
being the most important factor in the
construction OF roads and the foun-
dation Of all road building, water being
the greatest enemy Of dirt roads.
Prompt and thorough drainage OF the
water from the road can only be nc
complished by one who has made a
study Of the subject and is master Of
the situation.
Underdrainage or longitudinal tiling
OF the rond or roadway lowers the wa
ter level and maintains a dry subsoil,
thickening the crust Of the surface so
as to permit heavier loads. and prevents
settling of the roadbed; also prevents
the destructive effect Of the frost.
Three TO four inch tile is a suitable
size and can be laid so as to be carried
down into the side bitches at regular
intervals. thus having n free outlet. A
line Of three or four inch draintile laid
along either or both sides Of the grade
at sufficient depth to intercept the I'M
der1ow viii efiectually lower the wa
ter level and drain the subgrade. II
the road is located on q slope or side
hill. the line Of tile should be laid on
the upper side Of the roadway, under
and across the roadway into the lower
ditch
The arrangement Of side bitches or
drainage should be such as will ef-
fectually carry away from the road
way or grade all water from either
ditch and prevent the storm water
from adjacent lands reaching the road
way or grade. Wide shallow bitches
with long haring sides toward the road
side bank having slope enough to pre-
vent caylng. which will necessarily
have to be changed for the different
soils over which the road may pass
The slope from center or highest point
in the roadway should be made with
two planes. say one inch to the foot
for six feet each way from the center;
then change to one and one-half inch to
the foot and carry this gradient to the
outside OF either ditch. a distance Of
another six feet This viii leave
enough BERN to support the Travelled
roadway.
side bitches should have a uniform
grade and free outlet into some water
way, so as to drain the road quickly
Under no conditions should water be
allowed to stand in the side bitches, as
It filters through and into the subsoil
OF the grade Water should not be car
ried long distances in the side bitches
nor concentrated to avoid a culvert.
Natural drainage conditions should be
followed as nearly as possible. and
whenever the flow Of water IN q draw
or waterway is obstructed by interpos-
ing a dam IN the shape Of a road grade
the natural conditions should be re-
stored by supplying an outlet in the
shape Of an adequate culvert across OF
through the road grade to the lower
ditch.
Drainage Of the surface of road is
largely determined by its maintenance.
IF the depressions and ruts are filed
by some device or machine so as to
leave a smooth, even surface, which is
easily and quickly accomplished, the
roadbed will remain dry and solid. On
long, steep grades thank -you-marms'
or water breaks should be constructed
at frequent intervals TO force the storm
water into the side bitches Construct
these in a broad angle extending from
an apex In the center of the road. down
and out TO either ditch. The sleeper
the grade the sharper the angle should
be- They should also be made at the
top or summit OF every hill to intercept
storm water and divert It to the side
bitches.
In conclusion, let me recommend the
employment OF a competent engineer
to plan all drainage and make profiles
and contour maps. He will locate
properly the line Of drains and roads to
be constructed. His contour mao