The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-11-12
WINTER CARE OF ROADS.
Keep bitches and Drains Open and
Use Road Drag.

Water, not cold, is the cause of the
deterioration of roads in winter accord
ing to the road specialists of the de-
partment. Cold weather does not In
itself injure roads, no matter whether
they are earth, gravel, or macadam.
In fact, an earth road will stand more
traffic when it is solidly frozen than at
any other time. Excess water, how
ever, is always detrimental to high
way. When cold weather turns this
water into ice, the damage that it does
is greatly increased. Ice occupies
considerably more space than the wa
ter from which it is formed, and every
person who has lived in cold climate
is familiar with the powerful bursting
effect of water when left to freeze in
confined vessel. The same action
takes place when wet road freezes
to any considerable depth. 1t simply
bursts, or, as we generally term it
in road parlance, the road heaves. La
ter, when the frost leaves, the road is
disintegrated and ruts badly. If this
process is repeated a number of times
during the winter, a gravel or macad-
am road may be practically destroy
ed, while an earth road may become
entirely impossible.
A dry road will not heave. Rock
gravel, sand, and even clay when per
fectly dry contract slightly on freez-
ing. In order to expand on freezing
these materials must contain or be
mixed with water, and the more they
contain the greater the expansion
which takes place. But so long as the
road remains frozen the damage does
harNrno "a frn,
quent and erroneous idea that it is tht
thaw which Injuries the road. The In
jury was done when the water in til,
road froze and the particles of the
road surface-broken stone, sand, OF
still finer particles of earth or clay
were pushed apart by the expandin.
water merely allows the ice to mel
and assume Its original volume a.
water
The remedy is self-evident. Keel
the water out of the road. The TIM
to begin preventative measures is earl
in the fall, before the rains begin.
oughly dry, with the surface and it
drainage in good condition, tn
chances are extremely favorable tina
|
ing spring.
Keep the bitches and drains oper
Remove all accumulations of weed.
grass, etc, which tend 10 retain mols
ture and obstruct drainage. Futher
more, do this work early, while tn
ground is still dry and hard. Vege
tation and litter hold water like
sponge and allow it gradually to soa
L. ~ l.
fore the road man is to keep the hare
dry surface formed in the summe
time from becoming Softened by TIL
fall and winter rains and SHOWS. Whe
the fall rains begin the earth or grav,
road should be dragged frequent
to prevent the formation of ruts an
the collection of water. All ravele
places on macadam surfaces shoul
be carefully filled in and consolidate
During the winter, whenever tina
is coming on, the cross drains an
side bitches should be opened up ;
far as possible so as to prevent wat,
collecting along the roadway. If IL
thaw is so pronounced that the roa
way is softened, the drag should
used; sometimes one round trip
the drag, with the hitch reversed, w
entirely rid the earth of slush al
melting snow and leave the road su
face practically dry. Don't get II
idea that the drag is not needed (
your earth and gravel roads in Il
winter time. Instead, keep it whe
you can get at it readily, for if t
winter is an ordinary one you W
need it many times.
Winter destruction begins in t
early fall The best way to preve
such destruction is to forestall it. Ke
the road dry and remember that
long as it remains so it will not
seriously injured by frost Keep t
drains open, the bitches clear, reno
all vegetation and litter, and use /
drag frequently If the road is kt
dry to depth of feet below the 81
face there will be little trouble FRI
the coolest weather.