Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-01-27

first year, and this number was in
creased during 1914. The trucks were
used to haul the men comprising the
gangs, and the tools, implements, and
materials used in maintenance and
repair. The use of these trucks more
than doubled the amount of labor
which each gang performed, and also
greatly benefited the travelling public
in lessening the period that the road
was under repair Then, by so
arranging the trucks that the bodies
could easily be removed, pressure
distributors were mounted in place OF
the bodies, and still further econ
omy has been effected, and to more
or less extent, the purchase of the
ordinary types of automobile pressure
distributors has been obviated. Sew
eral ten-ton and six-ton tandem road
rollers have also been purchased.
Where the top course has been en-
tirely worn out, new course is added
after plans and specifications for the
reconstruction of this course have
been prepared by the maintenance
department. This work is done by
contract and competitive bids are re-
ceived. The greatest possible oppor-
tunity for competition is offered, and
it is remarkable to note the large
number of bids that are received for
this kind of work. The contractors
and the general public have recog-
nized change from the old former
conditions, and frequently comment
upon the fair methods now employed,
and which have naturally resulted in
a large saving to the State.
Where the top and bottom courses
of the road are entirely worn out, the
whole road is reconstructed by con-
tract after similar competitive bid
ding. In every instance in such cases,
the cause of the road failure is care
fully investigated, and where it was
found to be due 20 defective original
construction or plans, the type has
been changed and more durable
form of construction is adopted. This
has been especially true i'll the vi
cinity of the larger cities, where so
many miles of brick and concrete
pavements have been constructed in
the past year to replace the less dur
able types of construction.
The broken stone used by the
gangs and by the patromen in seven
of the nine divisions has been pur-
chased from the best available source.
The division engineer prepared
estimates OF the amounts and kinds
Of stone that would be required in
his division. He then prepared plans
and specifications indicating the
amounts and kinds required, the
places and methods of delivery and
the distribution. Competitive bids,
after due advertising, were received.
This method of procedure exceeded
the expectations and resulted in a
most substantial saving. 1t also re-
suited in more prompt delivery, in
a more uniform product, and in a
great saving of time and effort over
the old method OF individual requi-
sition.
Last year, Approximately 1,5OO miles
of road were treated with bituminous
material and covered with sand,
screenings, or gravel In six divi-
sions this work was done by the gang
system. Twenty-eight pressure dis
tributors were employed in this work
In three divisions the application of
this bituminous carpet was done by
contract after competitive bids had
been received on the plans and speci-
fcations prepared by the Department.
This plan proved emnently success
full. The most important feature in
producing this desirable result was
the large mileage of the individual
contracts, some of these running as
high as one hundred miles in length.
| This method attracted the most re-
sponsible and competent contractors,
who performed their work much
cheaper than the method in force in
the other divisions.
In making repairs and maintaining
the roads under the patrol and the
gang systems, and including the BIZ
luminous carpet work, approximately
three million gallons of bituminous
material have been used during the
past year. The method in force under
previous management of the Depart
ment was to purchase this material by
rcquisition in comparatively small
amounts. This method was extrava-
giant. and it developed into subject
for much adverse criticism. For the
first time in New York State, this
material was purchased in 1914 by
contract. The division engineer pre-
pares estimates for the amount and
kind of bituminous material required;
of the location and method of delv-
cry, and single contract for the
entire amount of material require
for each division is then awarded after
competitive bidding on carefully pre-
pared plans and specifications. Many
thousands of dollars have thus been
saved to the State, and the quality oi
the materials furnished has been
better. The inspection of the ma
terials has also been simplifed and
the conditions of the roads thereby