The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-07-30
THE new HIGHWAY
SpOtsyIvania Road Being Per.
manentIy Improved.
WORK is PROGRESSING RAPIDLY
Engineer Brown, And Contractor Say
Job Will be Good One. ETC.. Etc.

The building of the permanent i'm
proved road in Spotsylvanla county on
the Court House road, has proceeded
TO a point where it has already become
an object lesson as showing the wonder
full advantages of good roads.
The work was commenced at point
about three miles from Fredericksburg
and is proceeding in this direction. The
contractor is Mr.. K. &. Lassiter, of
Southside Virginia, and there are nifty
men on the lob, with 2S mules, a num-
Der Of big wagons, ten-ton steam
roller, a water wagon, road scraper and
other machinery.
Mr.. j. j. Battershill. partner of Mr.
Lassiter. is superintending the work for
the contractors. State Engineer A. r.
Brown, from the office Of State High
way commissioner at Richmond, IS look
ing after the interests of the State and
county. He has the reputation Of being
one of the best road engineers IN the
State, is giving his entire attention 10
the project and can always be found IN
the performance of his duties.
The first preparation for making the
road is grading. taking OIL hills and
bumps and filling in. Two and a half
miles OF rough grading has been finish
ed. Following this. is the work OF
shaping up the road, making it high IN
the middle, with a five inch crown
which affords good drainage on either
side. Then follows the putting on OF the
first layer of gravel. This is put on in
rough shape to a depth of six inches
and is rolled with the ten-ton steam
roller until the depth is only four inches.
Following this, the second layer Of
rough gravel is put on and rolled as IN
the first instance TO a four inch thick
ness, making the gravel bed eight
inches deep, after being rolled to the
entire satisfaction Of the State engi-
neer. Then comes the Strengthening
Of the shoulders on either side and
shaping the bitches. After a good
heavy rain the road bed will again be
rolled until il becomes hard and firm.
The road is not hard when first finished.
but with continued rolling and time and
use, il becomes a thoroughly hardened
road. The width of the gravel bed Is
fourteen feet. About one-half mile Of
the gravel bed has been completed,
leaving only the Strengthening up on
sides Of the road 10 be finished.
When the work has been completed
to Fall Hill" the force will go back to
the beginning point and then build to-
wards Spotsylvania c. H., leaving the
Fall Hill" road to be worked IN the
winter.
On recommendation Of Assistant
Highway Commissioner G. 7. Coleman,
more practical route than the old one
will be opened at Fall Hill. y This will
make an easier grade and the line will
be surveyed as soon as Engineer Brown
can find an opportunity to get at that
work. The line will be just south Of
the present road. but not following It
closely.
The gravel now being used is from a
bed on the farm Of Mr. John Haislip
close by. 1t is splendid gravel, having
just the right proportion of dirt filler,
about forty per cent
Engineer Brown says he thinks there
will be but little difficulty in securing
the right quality and quantity Of gravel
at all points on the road.
As before stated. the road when first
completed. is somewhat soft and will
rut with heavy hauling but after suf-
ficient rain and another rolling, II be-
comes impervious to water and hardens
10 such an extent that it will stand any
kind Of hauling. The drainage question
is provided for along the route. with
proper culverts. etc, at necessary
points.
The road force is in camp nearby with
a blacksmith shop for shoeing the
mules, ETC., and everything is worked
in a thoroughly systematic manner The
contractor lost a valuable mule few
days ago, which swerved while being
shod, falling against stump and was
so badly injured that it had to be shot.
Engineer Brown, who keeps in touch
with the Board Of public roads, says
that if the public examining the road,
will withhold opinions until after a good
rain and sufficient rolling, he is salts
fed that all criticisms will be favorable.
The work is progressing well. but it
is necessarily slow and will require
months to complete it.
Mrs. NJ. A. Ferneyhough, accom-
panied by her mother, Mrs. NJ. K.
Jones. left Friday TO visit her sister,
Mrs. J. c. Scott, Of the Wilderness.