Evening star., 1909-07-18
ASPHALT; PAVEMENTS
Engineer Commissioner Makes
a Few Observations.
GETTING WORSE EACH YEAR
Average Life Of Such Pavement
About Twenty Years.
ESQ MILES IN WASHINGTON
Conditions Indicate That One
Twentieth Should Be Renewed
Each Year.
ESQ MILES IN WASHINGTON

Growing worse each year is the average
condition of the asphalt pavements of the
city of Washington, according to state
ment made upon request by Engineer
Commissioner Judson yesterday.
Upon this plea, which will be backed
by figures now being collected by the
highway department of the District gov
ernment, Congress will be asked next
street paving in the future. for the fail
ure to keep all the asphalt covering OF
the city thoroughfa.es in good condition
In recent years is attributed by officials
of the engineering department TO iack
of sufficient provision of funds by Con-
gress.
When asked yesterday for information
regarding the present condition of the
paved streets in the city Maj. Judson de-
clared that as soon as he took up the
duties of the Engineer Commissionership
he directed the highway department,
which Is under his charge, to make a
close study of work done on the city
streets In recent years to determine If the
work has kept pace with the needs. While
that investigation has not been conclud-
ed, he admitted that he believed that the
asphalt has been wearing out faster than,
through lack of sufficient funds, it could
be repaired or renewed.
Should Be Relaid Despite Repair.
It has been determined he said, that
the average life of an asphalt pavement
such rs has been put ON the streets of
the National Capital is about twenty
years. Even though it has been repaired
properly during two decades it has been
found, from close Investigations, that q
pavement twenty years old SHOULD be re-
laid.
While the figures were not at hand as
to the exact amount of asphalt covering
in the city limits, he estimated that there
is in round numbers about $50 miles of it
Working on the we'll determined axiom
that the average life of such pavement Is
twenty years, 1t is evident that one
twentieth of 1t should be renewed each
year in order to keep it in good shape.
This means that one-twentieth Of 250
miles. or about twelve and one-haH miles
of the pavement, should be renewed each
year.
The investigation has proceeded far
enough now. he said. to indicate that
twelve and one-half miles of old pave
ment has not been replaced by new In
recent years. That means, it Is pointed
out, that the average condition Of the
asphalt sheeting is growing worse, al
though repairs are being made
More Money Needed.
During the last fiscal year, he said.
about 100000 was available. through
congressional appropriations, for replac-
ing old pavement with new and for re-
pairing the old asphalt within the city
limits To do the proper amount of work
to keep the streets in good condition. he
estimated roughly that about 100000 Is
needed, and his recommendations to Con-
gress will be around that figure.
The Investigation which is now going on
under his direction. conducted by Capt.
p. NJ. Markham. assistant in charge Of
highways, and C. B. Hunt, engineer Of
highways, will show, he said. just how
much money is needed, and the figures
tabulated from the present inquiry will
be presented to the proper congressional
committees next winter as the basis for
the request for larger appropriations by
the House and Senate next year.
1t will be economy. he believes, to ex-
pend sufficient money each year in re-
placing old pavement with new and in
repairs to keep 1t in good condition.
Otherwise, it is pointed out, the average
condition of the streets will grow worse
and worse until a time will come when
very large appropriation will be
necessary to make the streets of the
National Capital presentable and in q
class with those of other cities of its
size.
Another Object Of Inquiry.
Another object of the inquiry which
is now being made is to determine at
whit time it is most economical to re-
pair holes in the pavement It is recog-
nized that the cost Of repairing very
small holes Is high, because Of the cost
of getting the material in small guam
titles and the workmen in small squads
to the places where the repairs are
needed.
On the other hand. it is expensive to
allow the holes to get so large that
large quantity of asphalt Is required to
fill them. There must be an average be-
tween the two, he said, which indi-
Gates when it is most economical to
repair the holes.
Therefore. it must be determined just
how large holes should be allowed to
wear before they should be repaired.
1t is believed that the highway de-
partment is working on a most eco
nomical schedule at the present time.
but Engineer Commissioner Judson de-