Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-10-12
INTELLIGENT ROAD WORK.


Both the republican and the democratic |
conventions of Vermont embodied in their
state platforms declarations in favor OF
better roads We doubt, however, wheth |
er either party fully realizes the broad
and comprehensive character of the prob
lem confronting the people of the Green
Mountain state.
AS in ralroading so in modern road
building, new conditions have arisen. The
masters of transportation by rail have
been forced by train crew legislation and
Considera lions of economy to provide for
the handling of more cars per freigh.
train This has involved the eimina-
ton of heavy grades, as well as strong
er bridges and more powerful locomotives.
Somewhat similar influences are oper-
ating to produce new conditions in high
way building. Only last spring the
state highway department was called up
on to make good serious damages to
highways in Shclhurne and Hinesburg
made by heavy truck from Burlington,
while the roadways were soft from the
effects of disappearing frost. Motor
trucks are constantly carrying great
loads of all kinds from this city to dis
freight only by rail. These loads for au-
to trucks are constantly growing in
weight.
With increasing speed and weight of
self-propeling vehicles, the wear and
tear on our roads is becoming terrific.
Our newly constructed crushed stone
ruts are worn even in our best gravel
roads, vitrfied brick surfaces are speed
lily made uneven. and only the heaviest
cement road on solid foundation stands
up under the tremendous strain of mod
ern traffic.
| How to make more durable roads with
the great highway problem confronting
our people of Vermont. This whole prob
| lem is attracting the attention Of the
automobile world as one of the parties
md interests most directly concerned.
Road building is developing a new
! science that calls for the highest engin-
man of the Good Roads committee of the
National Automobile Chamber of Com
merce. 1.-THE advent of the AUTOMOBILE,
and motor truck has brought new prob
lens that must be studied and solved.
I'm massachusetts eighty-two and one
half per cent. OF all traffic on the state
highway system last year was motor
driven. In New York city automobiles,
motor trucks and motor omnibuses con-
stitute nearly seven-tenths of all wheel
ed traffic, exclusive of street cars and
motorcycles. Similar conditions will soon
prevail in all parts of the country.
Rapidly changing traffic conditions de-
mand the services of technically train
ed men who are not only qualified civil
engineers, but who have made study
of road economies and the wearing quail
tiles and cost Of construction and mante-
nance Of different kinds of pavements
because the proper administration OF
road affairs is more essential than the
highest degree of engineering skill.
, "Too often faulty road conditions are
, due to small appropriations in the en-
. dcavor to make cheap surface endure
p under heavy traffic. Where traffic o
any consequence exists, the cheapest roa,
p to build is usually the most expensive
D in the end, Efficient highway engineer
will save taxpayers millions of dollar
I in years to come by the selection o
4 proper materials and high class construc
8 ton work
( Some of the States and cities requir
a lcanC:dates Tor appointment to IN
highway departments to pass
e civil service examination, thus remov
. ing the offices from political Influence
$ This is greatly to be desired Men VIII
e should be continued in office. In tn
3 communities where this policy has bee
$ followed there is general satisfactio
with road and street conditions"
l. Following tour of inspection of tn
4 State roads OF Massachusetts by the high
. way commission of that State one of tn
?. commissioners, basinS his comment o
?. the poor condition of the roads they ha
n seen. said
d Either the tax on motor trucks mus
G he increased or the tonnage will have t