The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-03-28
DIRT ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Some Practical Suggestions for Dirt
Road Construction In
South Dakota.

Brookings, S. d.
During the past few months sever
al highways have been projected
across the state, and some of them are
designated as "transcontinental high
ways" The time is near at hand
when the actual work of road con
struction must be begun, otherwise
these projected highways will not be
of any particular benefit to anybody
Hence, a few suggestions as to the
proper method of dirt road construc
ton may be in order and perhaps Of
considerable value.
If a road is intended for interstate
travel, it must be constructed SO as
to be suitable for all kinds of high
way traffic; hence a few fundamental
principles must be observed in the
construction of this road, that have
heretofore been absolutely neglected
in all local road construction in South
Dakota. The most important is the
width of roadway.
If we assume that no work has been
done on the road; the simplest way
to proceed will be as follows: First
set stakes twenty feet apart for the
main roadway. This should be done
the full length of road so as to make
it straight. Then, outside Of this
twenty foot limit, start the blowing
and pillow ten feet wide on both sides
Then move the sod from the outside
to the center making the roadway as
nearly level as possible.
PuIverize the Sod.
After all the sod is moved into the
roadway use a sod cutter and thor
oughly pulverize all sod. Do not un,
der any circumstances allow the sod
to remain in Jumps and rot, for it will
absorb moisture and continue to set
tie Uneven for at least two years.
thus producing holes in the roadway
that will make it unfit for any and
all kinds Of traffic. First ~pulverize
the sod, then put more dirt on the top
If the rest of the dirt is lumpy pull
verize that also; it will tnen pack
even.
Finishing Touches.
Then finish the roadway with a grad.
er, making the center of the twenty
foot roadway 6 or Z inches higher than
at the edge and construct a browning
surface. Also make a gentle curve
slope clear to the gutter. This will
practically produce a thirty-eight foot
rdiveway from gutter to gutter.
Make a Wide Road.
The writer knows that many will
sary; but when it is considered that
this road is intended for all kinds OF
travel, the road must be constructed
SO wide that no person with a load
of hay or any kind of wide machinery
a block the road and prevent an
other party from passing by, no mat
ter in what direction the parties are
going. The Writer has frequently ap
preached a load of hay with a light
rig and been compelled to travel be
hind that load for considerable dis
lance, because the driver would not
turn out part way. The grades were
too narrow and the cutters or rather
bitches were to steep to venture into
If we intend to encourage any great
amount of tourist travel over our
roads, the tourist must be treated
with courtesy, hence the roads must
be constructed so wide that a condi
ton of this kind will be impossible.
Best is Cheapest.
Again, If a road is constructed toe
narrow at first, and it becomes neces
sary to widen it afterwards, then dirt
must be moved hack and refilled where
it was taken out first; thus increasing
the cost of construction at least twice
what it should be, and at the same
time, the road will not be as solid fol
several years as it would have beer
had the original road been construct
ed wide enough. Where road grad
ing machinery can be used the work
can be done very much cheaper than
by team work and scrapers.
Pack The Roads.
The next point in Importance in
connection with dirt road construction
that has been overlooked in the past
is the use of the steam roller. Where
considerable dirt is graded up, the
same will remain loose and spongy
for q considerable time, and a wagon
with a heavy load will tend to cut
through. This can be avoided alto
gether by using a ten ton road roller
which will pack the dirt solid enough
for all kinds of loads. An ordinary
traction engine can be used for this
packing, but the luggs en- the drive
wheels will form pockets in the sur
face. These pockets will be covered
with loose dirt and after every rain
will retain considerable moisture that
will tend to destroy the road surface
Whereas the wheels on the steam roll
Ter will prouce a smooth surface that
will act as a perfect water shed; and
at the same time the road will be
so solid that every man with a heavy
Lost Time.
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