Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-05

be used. Properly built earth roads, say
specialists of the department, are the
fundamental requirement in all highway
improvement.
Regardless of the material or type of
surfacing which is to be placed the
preparation Of the roadbed requires the
highest engineering skill and experience.
The department considers that the use
OF adequate sums for the securing Of
proper location, thorough drainage, per
manent bridges and culverts, and the
elimination of railroad crossings is de-
manded If enduring improvements are to
result.
Federal aid is allotted to the improve
ment of earth roads, but only with the
stipulation that a suitable surfacing is
placed, which is highly desirable from
a construction viewpoint. To follow
such a course, however, is out of the
question when a road is heavily travelled
and some form of surfacing must be pro-
vided. To care for traffic under these
conditions, frequently a sand clay or
gravel surfacing is provided. which will
serve for several years and yet allow
the road to be maintained under rea-
sonably heavy traffic.
MANY KINDS OF
ROAD SURFACE USED.
tuGL the preparation u tue
roadbed has been properly done, many
kinds of road surfaces viii give excellent
service. The element of time is impor
can't. There are 50 many miles Of roads
to be constructed, and their cost will be
so enormous that the most careful and
detailed study OF each road project must
be made to provide, at the lowest pos
s. lie cost. roads which will give salts
f'ctory service and which can be main
aimed without undue depreciation under
the traffic which Is to use them. Many
times the question has been asked the
bureau What types Of road is best? The
answer is always the same There is no
one best kind or type of road surface.
recent statement issued by the Of
fcials of the bureau expresses this
thought In the following language:
1T is the policy of this bureau to con
slider the conditions Of each individual
Federal aid project as there are ele-
ments such as sub grade, drainage, and
present and prospective traffic which
vitality affect the determination of the
standards of construction TO be used
That is. there must be a careful analy-
SIS both Of the engineering and economic
conditions for each particular case to
determine the kinds Of materials that can
be used successfully, ard after these
facts are determined tten the various
types Of construction which can lie used
economically should be brought into
competition to secure the best possible
results. There have been occasional at
tempts TO write into State laws or the
governing conditions of bond issues a
requirement as to the tyne or kind OF
roads to be constructed To follow such
a course would he most unfortunate
NO PARTICULAR TYPE
RECOMMENDED.
The cost must always be considered in
determining the type OF road surfaces
which are selected. and the allowable cost
must be determined by the traffic which
is 10 be borne. Local conditions vary to
such an extent that very careful con
sideration must be given each project be
fore determining the character Of type or
roads to De built. This principal was re
Gently expressed to A chamber OF CON.
merce asking for Information in the fol
lowing language:
Types Of highways should not be
specified by law. This Is a matter 10 be
decided by the State highway depart
ment. In which should be lodged full au.
thority both to construct and 70 main
tain. Competition between different types
of material should be maintained aud sci
ection made 20 At traffic requirements
In each case. The bureau does not rec
ommend any one type to exclusion OF