The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-12
HOW POLK COUNTY
ROAD WORK is
PROGRESSING

The far-famed "Loughman hills"
the mention of which up to this time
would send quiver over the might
lest fiivver, have at last been con-
quered and instead of being the au-
tomoblist's despair will henceforth
be his delight. For where there were
snaky streaks through the sand, over
which autos foundered in momentary
danger OF putting their last until
there could be secured the friendly
ministrations of men and mules, there
now stretches a magnificent high
way. straight, smooth and solid, ever
which it is joy to drive. With the
exception of only about one-quarter
of mile a short distance beyond
Haines City. there is nothing remain
ing of the wretched road that has
long stood as barrier to keep out
the friendly invasion of wouldbe Wis
itors. In few days clay will be ap-
piled to this small gap. and then
one may drive all the way from
Florence Villa to the Osceola county
s line either on asphalt. or on the clay
foundation that has been placed for
the asphalt. in itself an ideal road
except as to wearing qualities. Some
thing like four or five miles of this
clayed road remain yet to be as
phalted.
Mssrs. II. NJ. Mansfield J. n. Hook
er and NJ. f. Hetherington, of the
Advisory Board; A. ]. Holworthy.
secretary of the Good Roads Associa-
tion John S. Howard. County Com
missioner; and +. w. Berger. engi-
neer, made an inspection trip over
the roads being built in that part of
the county yesterday. A minute in
Vcstigation was made, and some de-
fccts were noted which will be re-
ported to the Commissioners for cor
| rection. On the whole, however, the
work has been well done. But it
would be remarkable. indeed, if in a
contract of such magnitude there
were not some imperfections.
The work of the Mcdonald Con-
struction Co. shows up well. or
course. there are places where there
were imperfections in the base. caus-
ing dcpressions in the finished road.
and all such defects are being cor
rected by taking up the objection
able portion of road and relaying 1t
properly Such things as these are.
of course, to be expected, and taken
as a whole the work from Haines
City to "A short distance this side OF
Loughman where the asphalt ends
at present, is fine piece of road
building. The McDonalds are NOV
ing the plant which they have had at
Davenport to Haines City. whence
they will work towards Lakeland via
Lake Alfred The other plant is To-
Gated at Loughman finishing up the
laying of asphalt to the OsceOla line.
When this is completed, which will
be about June 1st, they will move this
plant TO Carriers working from there
both towards Lakeland and towards
Auburndale.
From Haines City to Lucerne Park
the Eureka Paving Co. has completed
its portion OF the Dixie Highway. In
, places the road is trifle wavy
though perhaps not sufficiently so tc
be serious objection.
From Lucerne Park the Continen
tai Public Works Co have completed
laying the asphalt to Florence Villa
They will go on through Winter
Haven to Barlow. and thence to Lake
land. Their work shows up well In
the main though in one place con
siderable section was adjudged oil
sufficiently faulty construction to re-
port as advisable that it be torn up
and replaced This was owing to
too much asphalt being used in the
particular mixture poured at this
point.
The roads are magnificent and
there seems TO be no reason to be-
lieve they will not be durable. Two
things MUST be provided for, how
ever: some regulation of heavy traf-
fic. and a proper system OF main
tenance. The only trouble will come
from wear or breakage at the edges.
On a fifteen-foot road there Is very
little necessity for turning out, hence
the wear in this respect ought not
be considerable. However, a BERN