The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-13
GRAVEL INSTEAD OF TRAP ROCK FOR PAVING FOUNDATION Paving Commission Authorize Contractors to Bid on This
 Basis Contract Awarded to Lawrence & Gaynor for South End
 Streets

For the first time in the history of the city, paving contractors will be given an opportunity to bid on gravel for a base for permanent pavement instead of trap rock. This was decid- ed at meeting of the Paving and Sewer Commission last night when bids were considered for the perma- nent paving of Kiefer, Whiting, and Atlantic streets and Singer avenue.
 The stress brought to bear on the concrete foundation underlying the wearing surface of permanent paving is entirely compreesive. In concrete used for building purposes, a force tending to distort the concrete is met. To resist the latter, the rough sur faces of trap rock are believed to aid in keeping the concrete together in street work, however, where such stresses are not in evidence and there is no tendency to twist the concrete mass apart, the smooth gravel answers the purpose of making up the body of the concrete. In New York city the use Of gravel for street work is all lowed. Authorities on the subject do not hesitate to say that there is no choice in the matter.
 Gaynor and Lawrence were the low est bidders at $3.20 9 square yard with trap rock foundation. The only other bidder was the Burns company at $3 30 per square yard.
 Members of the commission thought gravel as good for foundation and that it could be had cheaper. The matter was finally left with President Rogers, Secretary Keating and City Engineer Terry to place the bids after the con tractors have revised them and if the contractors are unable to give any better figure the contract it to be awarded to Gaynor and Lawrence.
 Secretary Heating was ordered to advertise for bids on granite, wood and asphalt blocks on Court street from Gilbert to State street; Park avenue from the terminus of the present per manent paving on Atlantic street southerly to Seaside park; Noble ave nue from East Washington avenue to Crescent avenue; Crescent avenue from Noble avenue to the eastern ap- proach to the Congress street bridge and Sterling street from Noble avenue to the eastern approach of the Con- gress street bridge.
 The commissioners decided that a. sewer must be constructed in Knowl- ton street before that street can be permanently paved, so they referred the order for the paving of that street back to the Common Council for re- vision.
 The commission voted to have Sec retary Heating make a contract with Gaynor and Lawrence for the paving of Park avenue across Laurel avenue. This firm already has the work com pleted to Laurel avenue.
 On motion of Commissioner Lashar any future changes in specifications or orders to contractors conflicting with the signed contract can only. be made on written order of the secretary with the approval of the majority of the members of the board.
 Gaynor and Lawrence and William H. Arthur of Stamford were compli- lnented for the efficient and speedy manner in which they are carrying on the paving work they are doing for the city.
 More than 25 sewers which have been ordered cannot be constructed because there is no money available for the work. The following sewers which were ordered have not been advertised for because there is no money to build them with:
 Butler avenue, Bostwick avenue, Roosevelt sareet, Wells Street, North avenue, Unquowa Hill, Capitol avenue, Sanford avenue, Elizabeth street and East avenue.