The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1917-05-08

y
the majority Of the general public
believed that road building required
only the exercise Of common sense
and that the money spent on engi-
neering was wasted. The engineer
himself was considered a necessary
evil whose advice was tolerated
but very seldom followed.
The change in the character and
volume of traffic occasioned by the
addition of the automobile as an
agency of transportation caused
such rapid deterioration of our
roads that the public gradually be-
gan to realize that the building Of
roads to withstand the effects of
different kinds Of traffic under diff
ferent conditions required know
ledge and information which the av-
erage man did not possess. With
this awakening of the public mind
came keener sense of appreciation
of the work OF the engineer and a
more general reliance upon him to
solve the many new problems of
road building.
Officials in charge of road build
ing should be capable of seeing -
FIRST: That the road is located
in the right place so that it may be
traversed between any two given
points with minimum expenditure
of effort. This implies that the
grade be as nearly level as possible,
compatible with proper drainage.
Our railroads have been expanding
millions of dollars in Strengthening
shortening their lines and reducing
grades so as to increase the tom
mage that can be hauled by their
locomotives. This principle should
also apply in road building so that
there will be no future demand for
revision or relocation after settle
ment. Along the road has become
established. Where this has not
been done future settlement invar-
iably precludes the possibility Of any
changes so that tremendous
amount of energy is being wasted in
travelling improperly located roads,
to say nothing of the impaired
efficiency.
SECOND: That it is graded prop
erly. Economy of construction de-
mands that the desired grade and
width of roadway be obtained with
the least possible movement of
earth or excavated material. Any
excess movement of material by
reason of poor distribution of ex-
cavated material represents abso-
lutte waste.
THIRD: That it is thoroughly
drained. A thorough knowledge of
the behavior Of all the different
soils under varying weather condi-
tons, together with a knowledge
of the geological formation is neces-
sary in order to determine whether
those sections can be remedied by
the use of some form of specially
constructed foundation.
FOURTH: That is surfaced with
material adapted to its traffic. This
requires an intensive study of the
volume and character of the traffic
coupled with a familiarity with all
the different kinds of road surface
ing II lateral and the economic limi-
tatiors to the use Of each. The
character and availability of all To-
cal surfacing material should be de-
termined before deciding that ma
teriai should be shipped in from
other points.
FIFTH: That culverts and
bridges are of the right size. in the
right place, and built of suitable
material. With the exception of
very small culverts it is almost uni
versally recognized that the loca-
ton, design and construction of
large culverts and bridges requires
the services Of an engineer. Mis-