The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-03

afAe are actually penailxed under the
existing law as the State Highway
Commission requires the construction
OF water bound. Macadam road. cost
ing from 81 600 to 5000 per mile.
while in other sections II In permitted
10 buiid with state aid sand clay roads,
costing sout $500 per mile.
. lit has frequently been demonstrat-
ed that durable and excellent roads
can be constructed by rought lime
stone with final application of lime
stone OF a smaller size. without the
expep use of water binding. .->>..., 49, ..sss
The action of traffic will soon pull
verize the limestone and the particles
will quickly cement to "a solid bed.
presenting al the end of several
months smooth and uniform surface.
Such roads cost from s700 to 81
900 per mile and have proven TO be
as durable as State aid roads costing
from $4,000 to $1,000 per mile.
Law Must Have F9exibility.
The law should have sufficient flex-
Utility TO utilize the native material in
different sections In the most eco
nomical manner
Many roads in outlying districts
can be permanently improved by re-
ducing the grades, crowning. ditching
and culvertiug.
The Improvement Of such roads
should he permitted with State aid
which can be done at small cost.
state aid should also be available
for the erection of bridges and con-
struction ~ culvefts.
II viii introduce at the coming ses-
sion amendments 10 the present law
as follows;
"G) TO provide for regular main
tenance at reasonable overhead cost
"(2) To !ocalize the expenditure of
the Joint road fund. both for construc-
ton and maintenance. so far as IL Is
consistent with tudicious disbursement
and thereby reduce the present exces-
sive administrative cost
"t31 To give nexihiity to the law so
as to permit the improvement with
state aid of four types of road varying
In cost as to be adaptable to the con-
ditions prevailing in different locali-
ties and 10 utilize the native materials
to the best advantage.
Ia To give the Board of super
vi~ors discretionary power to select
the type best f1tted for the particular
roadway it is desired to improve. each
type 10 he graded. crowned, drained
and ditchcd.
These constitute the only permau-
emit features Of road construction ana
lay the foundation for subsequent
Treatments, so that step by step
COMPREHENSIVE Improvement OF all
main travelled roads can be secured
al minimum cost.
The types will vary IN cost from
5000 or more per mile for type No.
TO 81. 600 to 5000 per mile for type
No. &. this type being similar to type
NOW adopted by the state Highway
Commission and can he selected by
tho BOARD of Supervisors, II coneer-
tr;,ted traffic conditions warrant the
construction Of such hish-priced
road
by giving the Board Of Supervisors
the authority to select the type a local
option il given 10 the people through
their representatives. SO that the type
best suited To local conditions may be
built
Bring virginia 10 Front.
As fhe State Highway Commission
will have the authority to see that the
mandatory features Of the law are
carried out by the local authorities,
the maintaining Of proper standards at
minimum overhead cost will be
secured
white differ with the State High
way Commission as to how to best
expend the State Highway fund. have
no charge TO make against the per
sonnet Of the commission,
i THE law aud the impossible theory
! on which II IN based Is mainly re-
zponsible for public disapproval.
We must recognize the fact that
road construction Is n practical and
mot theoretical question and should
be dealt with accordingly
n believe that no greater respon-
: sil,ilitv rests on \ member of the Cen
aral Assembly than the enaction OF
such road la Wa rs will put Virginia
In the forefront in road Improvement:
"A road law SO as to accomplish Its
full measure of usefulness must be
supported by public approval. other
wis, the administration of the law is
retarded and the taxpayers Will not
! be willing To submit to taxation for
extension Of system or which they
do not approve. and which is obviously
wasteful and inefficient"