New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-03
CONCRETE ROADS
BY FAR THE BEST
Stand Up Under Constant Wear
at Practically No Expense
for Repairs.
MACADAM NOW OBSOLETE
Water Binding Gives Out in
Little Time Under Usage
of Modern Twentieth
Century Travel.

MY opinion Is that there should be
only two kinds OF roads built in the coun-
try-concrete and gravel" says S. d.
Walden. OF the good roads committee OF
the Automobile Chamber Of Commerce.
Concrete is the last word IN efficient
and durable surface at not too great
cost and gravel the best farmer road
at the minimum expense. ! think IT is
a waste Of time to build roads Of anything
better than gravel and not as good as
concrete"
This is a clear cut presentation OF
solution Of the highway problem that Is
puzzling all civilized countries to-day. II
is generally recognized by highway au-
thorities and road users that the methods
Of building wagon roads with broken
stone, as introduced by Telford and Mac
Adam a century ago. have become obso-
lete. While these water bound roads
were serviceable enough for the traffic
OF the nineteenth century. they are ut
terly unsuited 70 the increased traffic and
the higher speeds Of the twentieth cen
fury. Within from two to five years
after a new macadam road is built II is
worn out and must be remade. or at the
very least must be resurfaced throughout
its length. In the mean time, unless ii has
been oiled frequently or otherwise treated
with an adhesive binder the dust lying
on its surface Is public nuisance To all
who use the road and to all who live
beside IL.
New York state, vita more than '75.-
coo available for state highway con
struction. is only waiting for the breaking
Of the legislative deadlock 10 let con-
tracts for hundreds Of miles Of new roads.
II the administration will make use OF
the opportunity presented by this hold-up
in contract letting to study present and
future traffic needs and revise all speci-
fcations for road work so as 10 require
permanent construction for all new state
roads. II Will erect a monument 10 itself
such as no Governor state engineer or
road commissioner has ever had.
During 1912 New York State placed IN
der contract $40 miles OF water bound
macadam roads at an average cost OF
y0Sl3 mile and $50 miles OF macadam
with bituminous binder a. ar average
cost Of Sl09s6 q mile Contracts were
also lot for y miles Of gravel roads and
as miles Of other road Thus. out Of
total Of 1888 miles. there were 80 miles
at least in permanent roads. OWING
10 charges OF irregularities. some Of these
contracts have been cancelled by the new
administration
Permanent highways cost less In the
long run than macadam and other types
OF temporary roads. The first cost Is
greater. but their annual cost OF upkeep
is far less and they have much longer
lie. This is particularly true OF the CON
crete road II costs less 10 build than
most other kinds OF so-called permanent
roads. Is practically indestructble and
requires almost no attention after com
pletion.
In Belefontaine. Ohio. there Is nearly
half mile Of concrete streets which
were laid twenty-one years ago and
the repairs on which have not amounted
To $50 I'm that time. The wear
has not exceeded one-half 10 three-quar-
te-s Of an inch where the horses treVel.
These streets are easy TO clean and easily
kept clean. They are ideal for motor
traffic and as a lasting proposition are
beyoud compare. The city's experience
with macadam has been less fortunate.
Last December It paid of the last bond
OF an issue OF ten-year bonds Tor the
construction OF 4.o00 feet OF macadam
street This Is now worn out and the
Council is preparing ordinances for repair
ing Il with brick.
The village Of Saugerties. y. " mas
made an interesting experiment with con
crete. About four years ago II butt
complete new road, one-half OF concrete
and the rest Of macadan. The mscadam-
tied norton had 10 be completely repaired
! a, the end OF two years service. az 1t had
become badly cut UP by heavy trafiic'
The cement road is IN perfect condition
to-day and appears 10 be good for many
years 20 come.
Concrete roads were adopted several
wears ago as standard construction py
the BOARD of Supervisors Of Wayne Coun-
~ Mich. In which the city OF Detroit
Is located. Results have amply JustiHeu
this decision. and the Supervisors arc
satisfied that they have solved the gooo
roads problem. More than sixty-hve miles
NJ concrete roads have been ouilt IN ths
county during the last four years.