Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-08-22
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Decision Follows Advice
of State Highway
Engineer

Sumter county's roads are to be
paved with asphalted macadam, it
was decided informally today by the
Board of County Commissioners
following a conference with w. R.
Neel, state highway engineer, and
Knox Thomas of the firm of Thomas
& Hawkins, the engineers in charge
of the county's federal aid road
project
The decision to lay macadam was
taken on the advice of Mr.. Neel, who
declared that it would be the best
road that could be laid here from all
standpoints. He stated that ITS cost
would not be in excess of $4,000
per mile, and that it might be laid
for as little $4,000, depending upon
the source of the stone required and
other conditions, weheras the price
of concrete paving and other materi-
ais of a permanent type, including
brick and Willie, would be $4,000
per mile under present prices and
condition. He declared the sand-clay
soil here formed an admirable natural
sub-base for this variety of road
building.
Means 80 Miles Paved.
On the basis of $4,000 to the mile,
100000 would give Sumter coun-
ty more than 80 miles of surfaced
roads.
The meeting of the commissioners
was for the purpose OF discussing
road matters with Mr.. Neel and Mr..
Thomas, but it was Indicated that
1t was the intention of the board TO
see that the actual laying of pave
ment was begun this tall. Mr.. Inom-
as reported that he had completed
the engineering work OF the Dixie
highway from AmerIcus 10 the coun-
" line beyond Andersonviile, and
is ready TO start on the remainder
OF the Dixie Highway as the second
phase of his work.
Mr.. Neel mi formed the board that
the macadam he recommended was
The simplest paving possible to lay,
and UhaU pracJIcally the entire JOB
could be done by the county itself.
The paving consists of a layer of
gravel or crushed rock or 8 inches
thick, rolled compactly into the
ground. On top of this is laid an
other three inches of rock, which alsS
is rolled, and on top of which is
put binder of hot asphalt, spray
ed with a tank machine, in the guam
City of 21-2 gallons to the square
yard. Finally crushed gravel is
strewn over this and rolled again,
giving completely smooth surface.
Job For Convicts.
Mr.. Neel stated that of this con
struction except the asphalt work
could be done by convict labor, and
that the asphalt could be laid cheap
ly He said contractor had under
taken a piece of work of this char
acter in Floyd county at SIS cents per
square yard, furnishing material,
spraying machine and labor.
He also stressed the ease and
cheapness with which such a road
may be maintained. At the cost of
$3.50 per mile per year, he said it
can be not only maintained but per-
petuated, or kept in a condition as
good as when new.
Mr.. Neel arrived this morning with
Mr.. Thomas and E. T. Grassland, U.
S. highway engineer in charge of
the federal aid projects in Georgia,
for the purpose of inspecting the
two federal aid bridge projects in
Sumter county
rendered a Luncheon.
A luncheon was tenderd Mr. Neel |
and Mr.. Grassland at the Windsor
hotel at noon by number of Sum
ter county citizens.
At the table in the private dining !
(Cnntinued ou pa0a Sl