The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1912-02-02
ROSS FORK ROAD REPORT

4ulChoduu, ID UClh6 WASotiCu Will ny
the builders of the Ross Fork road
and the, same problem is made a
prominent topic in the special report
from A. E. Robinson, state engineer,
to Governor Hawley.
"Macadam roads have been built
BEFORE" says Mr.. Robinson in his re-
port, laid on a base of sharp sand
containing sufficient moisture to
make a solid foundation, but at Ross
Fork we had to build on sand which
we could not depend upon to retain
its moisture, and, therefore, the base
Of the road and the road itself might
in some seasons of the year be lack
ing n factor necessary to maintain
the binding qualities of the macada-
mixed materials, namely. moisture.
For this reason it was decided to keep
the road bed as low as possible.
Rock for the Road
Rock for the road according to
the report, was taken from a lime
stone slide near Portneuf. This ma
terial raj excellent for the highway
and was near a railroad, SO that the
task of transporting it to the scene
of the work was neither difficult nor
too expensive.
Progress on the work has been
highly satisfactory" continued Mt.
Robinson, lever since the work was
started last August until the first of
the present year, when we required
the contractor to a work on ac-
count of the weather. On January
/, 1912, we had practically one mile
of finished road, which had been &C
cepted and opened for traffic. This
has proven satisfactory to the fullest
degree.
"At this time another mile of road
is nearly completed and will be
opened to travel as soon as another
rolling can be finished.
More Money is Needed
There will be money enough to
complete the construction of about
one half mile more road. The cost
of this highway has been greater than
the Eleventh session of the legisla-
ture estimated, as the funds available
instead of constructing the full five
miles of the road, will complete but
one half that distance"
J.. P. Congdon, who with Mr.. Rob-
inson and T. R. Jones constitutes
the Ross Fork road commission, has
also issued a report of the work ac-
complished on the road. a copy of
which is included with Mr.. Robin
sons report.
Danger of Macadam Roads
"The great danger with building
macadam roads in this state at the
present time" says MI. Congdon. sis
they will not receive proper care.
Such a road requires attention. just
as much as a railroad does, the. wear
ing surface not being indestructible.
There are two common methods |
in use in the more thickly populated
parts of the country for the care of
such roads. One plan is to employ a
gang to work over a given ex-
tent of the road constantly, and the
other is to have the work done peri
odically by order of the county COM
missioners, probably only once a year
The first method gives much better
results as the work is applied in small
quantity at the place needed and at
he time most needed. The other
method is in more common use on
account of it's being somewhat easier
% carry out in the average commu-
lity with a moderate amount of roads
'-quiring care.
Road Must Have Good Care
"In the case of the Ross Fork
Dad, between Ross Fork and Gibson
n Bingham county, it is essential
hat the proper care be given it by
he authorities. After the next
springs run-off it should be care
'ully rolled and the rough spots
'moothed down and put to a good
surface. We judge that there will be
title trouble OF account of the sand
IS it readily blows off the smooth
surface of the road, but the bitches T.
will probably have to be cleaned out I
ZACH season. Traffic as a rule fol- ,
ows one particular line on the road, (.
md this tends to cause ruts which T.
Will require surfacing and rolling .
rom time to time. I.