The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1914-05-14
AuSTRlA'S MODEL
ROAD SYSTEM.
Reputed to Be One Of the Bss!
In Europe.
FOUR GLASSES OF ROADS.

Supervision 10 Placed In the Hands
Of Graduates Of Government Schools.
The Cost Of Construction and Recon-
struction Of Government Highways Is
betrayed by the Government.
In Austria's road system, reputed to
be one of the best in Europe, there are
74,267 miles of highway. No estimates
of the original cost of the Austrian
system reliable enough to be worth re-
peating ever have been made.
In 1910, however, the government ex-
pended S., 200 to maintain 10.OoS
miles Of what is called there govern
ment highways, inclusive of donations
made toward the construction and re-
construction of certain nongovernmen-
tai roads,,
There are four classes of roads in
Austria. The first class are the govern
ment roads-thOse which are used for
military purposes, etc. Second. there
are the provincial roads which connect
districts of large area. The province
may be likened to the state in this
country. Third are the district roads
which connect towns or are tributaries
of other roads or lead to railways.
The district corresponds to our county.
Fourth or town class are the roads
which are not included in other Glasses.
The difference in classification comes
<l>o .lsd IN, n ,iSfr
The province. district and town look
after their own roads. The current cost
Of ordinary maintenance is obtainable
only from the government roads. This
includes the construction of bridges,
erection of guartlhouses, tool maga-
zines and purchases of machinery
Materials used for bridges and cul
verts are wood, iron and REINFORCED
concrete of the types found every
where in the United States. Roads are
surfaced with macadam and telford
Tar is used as binder almost eX
elusiyely. 1t is claimed that the tar
besides keeping dust down. increases
the life of Austrian roads from two tt
three years, although government en-
,ineers agree that the durability of th'
aggregate has more to do with the lift
Of the roads than does the binder used
The average width of the roads i:
from twelve to sixteen feet, with
walks two feet wide on either side
A majority of the roads built in th'
past four years are eighteen and Otter
twenty feet wide. however.
The cost of construction and recon
| struction Of government roads is de
frayed out Of the current government
revenues. No special taxes for road
are levied. In case any particula
community is particularly benefited
however, the government withhold
the right to apportion the expens
equally.
Supervision Of roads is in the hand
of graduates of government school:
known as district engineers. Each ha
charge of only seventy-five miles @
road. Under them are roadmaster
who have charge of twenty-four mile
Of highway. These men supervise th
road crew which has to perform a
the work required to keep in orde
about three miles Of road. There al
in all about 1000 men employed o
j government roads. Salaries are Low
Engineers receive from S400 to $50
per amum. roadmasters from $50
$500 per year. and keepers from S15
SIG q month. All workers are allowe
Il pittance for expense money.
The government keeps a severe chec
on all its men connected with roa
work. They are required to max
; frequent reports showing definitel
where every cent Of money has gor
and the exact progress of the work.