The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-29
5000 ROADS OF
GREAT IMPORTANCE


the water displaced by this crown,
the road might just as well remain
perfectly fiat. The water, thrown
nom me middle Of the road by the
natural watershed, collects at the
sides Having less travel upon them,
the sides are naturally softer than
the more Gel trail part of the road.
The water riakes them still softer,
working its way through the surface
and breaking up the foundation. One
year is about the limit of useful
ness for a road constructed without
prope drainage facilities.
Another factor that enters into the
constructed and upkeep of highways,
presents itself In the form OF trees
ana snrubbery. A grove of trees or
thick shrubbery near the road Will
greatly decrease the efficiency OF the
drains. Although a road running
etween overhanging bows appeals to
the eye, 1t is far less durable or ser.
viceable than the road which lie not
shaded.
Unless the sunlight is able to play
upon the road surface. 1t will remain
damp and soggy for days, or even
weeks. after q heavy rain. The road
cannot dry out thoroughly, as can the
one which receives the full heat OF
the suns rays. Before 1t has had
time to dry another rain win come.
then another and another until finally
large holes have been formed. every
wagon leaves it's track and ruts are
made on either side OF the deep path
| left by hcrses' hoofA
To maintain a road ut the least pos
sible EXPENSE, constant work Is need
ed This may sound as II II would be
more expensive than to work each road
every spring. In sections Of the
country where road construction and
upkeep has been reduced TO an exact
science, however. 1t he's been found
| that constant work by n small corps
Of men win prove far less costly in
the long run. Every defect, as soon
as possible after 1t has been diacov-
| cred should be- remedied. After
| heavy rains. putting the roads in the
| pliabie conditions. they should he
| worked with king drag" sim
/ pie contrivance constructed of split
| logs. In this way the road may he
kept we'll crowned, At the same time
all. ruts and holes are filled and the
road Is kept in excellent condition.
| on the New England roads, which
are second to none in North or South
America, signs will be found at every
crossroads saying: please do not
drive IN the center of the road. Try
to avoid the ruts" If all drivers
would carefully follow that advice
there would be no such things as ruts
| for they can only he formed by each
| driver following the path made by the
man who went before him. The life
OF the road will be greatly increased
! II drivers take greater precautions In
| these seemingly unimportant little de-
&Fa.I hn tTlEn Sx+t1 t1A Y~E
, less costly.
! Tidewater virginia WHIP be able to
/ derive far more benefit from her nat
ural advanta pes II her highways are
! improved That they will, in the
course of time be improved. can hard
| ly be doubted The first factor To be
considered in their Improvement
should he the selection of materials
! This win, OF course, der-Sd largely
upon the amount Of available funds
Too much stress cannot be laid upon
the importance OF careful study OF the
most economic materials that can be
| used in their construction.
Sand clay seems TO be the most de-
sirable at the present time. when ex-
penses must he held down as much az
! possible. The counties building sand
| clay roads will make no mistake in
their selection: hut macadam high
ways will be cheaper in the course
Of years.
There is no section in Virginia
showing greater need for road i'm
l-provement then the tidewater terri
tory Her people have blaxed the
trail in many other lines Of work.
and II is time that they awake to the
necessity for better highways. Proper
care In construction and maintenance
win insure good return for the
| money investeds Everybody In the
surrounding country viii profit and no
one will suffer. Reads are needed
more than any other one thing in
Tidewater Virginia 1t Is the duty
Of the people to see that they are
obtained and to see that they are prop
erly built and kept in good repair
Virginia Citizen.