The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-10-14
MAINTENANCE
CHIEF ROAD
REQUISITE

cess IL there is to be a permanent
overland transportation sys-ein all
year. is the contention OF the state
highway commission. at this time
caring for approximately 1000 miles
OF Indiana highways.
After two years Of maintenance
q great change has been brought
about In the Indiana state road sys
tenn. and at this time the major par
Of the system exclusive OF Garth
roads. is in 4 very .air condition
for traffic. many miles being us-
ually fine, according to John D. Will
liams, director.
A. II. Hinl1le. uperintendent Of
maintenance. says an attempt has
been made first to put in good SER
viceable condition the worst gaps
in the more important routes Roads
which two years ago were full of
chuck holes, possessed inferior
drainage. were narrow and hazard
Gus to traffic, today are firm to the
heavy traffic, wide. and grades and
turns eased ard made safer
Maintenance In the state highway
department means widening thor
oughfare, easing curves and eleva-
tons and making entire new grades.
as we'll as complete resurfacing in
many instances. After a road has
practically been rebuilt. constant
attention and upkeep such as drag
ging three times each week, fire.
quent applications of gravel and
stone. cutting drainage bitches, and
patching cement. brick and penetra-
ton top surfaces continues. The re-
suit In state roads are passable at
all seasons OF the year and farm
ers now take advantage of better
markets regardless of weather con-
ditions which formerly seriously
and delivery.
OF the 1000 miles OF roads in the
Indiana highway system, practical
ly are all-season roads with the pos
sible exception of earth roads, state
officials say. They point
out that with the advent of state
maintained roads which are wider
and permit augmented traffic. the
bulk of traffic now passes over
these thoroughfares- State roads
also promote greater business by
-eason markets are accessible at all
times.
Mr.. Hinkle says that heavy traf
fic last winter and this spring was
a severe test on gravel and stane
roads because Of the soft" weather.
In spite OF this state roads held up
much better than the year previous.
Although we were criticised much
for not prohibiting by arrest the
heavy loads from passing over the
not believed that necessary traffic
should be hampered at any season
of the year. Hence users Of state
we're permitted on them
but requested to employ common
sense and avoid so far as possible
the abuse Of roads during thaws."
Highway officials point out that
while many roads were badly cut
up at various times. hauling heavy
loads during the wet season had
one advantage In bringing to at
tention the weak places in the high
ways where additional thickness of
metal was required.
Parking automobiles on the pave
ment OF narrow state highways IL
exceedingly annoying and danger
Gus and should be eliminated in
view OF greatly increased automo-
tive travel, in the opinion of state
highway officials.
II one has occasion to park a
oh Iva VI n
then II should be driven out on the
shoulder OF the highway where 1t
will not construct traffic, they
point out
The commission today authorized
district engineers and superintend-
ents to watch for machines parked
on narrow roads. and instructed
them to take the matter up with
the owners. explaining the incon-
yenience to which the travelling
public is subjected; also the danger.
A. H Hinkle. superintendent of
for the state highway |
points out that fire.
quently machines are parked on
both sides OF country roads so as
10 almost block traffic or, at the |
best to permit only one-way traf- |
Tic through the narrow lane be-
.ween. This Is customary. he says. |
n front Of country churches. pic |
lic grounds, base ball grounds, |
pleasure resorts and stopovers. lie
,ites a case OF where not long ago |
| state was blocked except for one
way traffic in front of a church
where a funeral was being held
Owing to the INSTRUCTED road an
.ccident occurred. which might have
esulted in the death Of another in
lividual.
The state highway commission Is
,lacing state roads in condition for
Lll-season traffic. and now asks the
,ublic. the users OF these highways
cooperate to make traffic safer
John D. Williams. d.
ector of the commission, says.
Mr.. Hinkle points out that every
ne who Is forced to park a ma
hine on a heavily travelled highway,
hould bear in mind the danger to
which the auto Is subjected. Not
My Is there danger to the party
to pass. especially Of two
ars travelling in opposite directions
tempt to pass near the parked
uto. but also to the parked car
tself When such a condition ex-
SITS one OF the machines endeavor-
ng to get around must go into the
itch or a wreck results
The highway commi ssion contem-i
lates erection OF signs near all
all parks. public parks, resorts.
tc, warning against parking cars
n the pavement and urging park
ag on the shoulders or sides OF
he roads, Mr.. Williams says.