, 1922-08-17
CONTRACTS yIR 'CS! MADE gE,.
FOR MODEL ROAD
WORK UNDER WAY FOR IDEAL SECTION
OF LINCOLN HIGHWAY TO BE-
BUILT IN INDIANA

DETROIT, Mich, Aug. 7.-Thc
far-famed stretch Of model road
known as the Ideal Section of the
Lincoln Highway is. after nearly two
years of preliminary research and
detailed work, now under construc-
ton in Lake County. Indiana.
The contracts for the construction
were closed recently in Indianapolis,
when Stone & Webster. Inc. of Bos-
ton, Mass, acting as agents for the
Lincoln Highway Association, un-
dertook to build a section of road
which will cost, with all appurten-
ances. approximately 100000
mile. at a price of $4,000 per mile
to the State of Indiana. Stone &
Webster. under whose supervision
thework will proceed. let the con-
struction contract to J. G.. O'Connor
& Sons Of Sort Wayne, Indiana. Al
ready the work on this stretch, which
will perhaps be one of the most talked
about and studied sections of high
way in the world, is under way.
In addition to- the $4,000 per
! mile provided by the State. Lake
County authorities have assured
$685. 900 from the County funds and
steps have already been taken by the
County Council and Commissioners
to provide this sum as the County's
share. The extra expense of the
Section beyond the sum supplied by
the State and County. which is
equivalent to what the construction
OF the usual state specifications
would cost, will be met by the Lin
coin Highway Association, through a
special fund provided by the United
States Rubber Company. 1t is ex-
pacted that the having work will be
completed by the end Of October,
many details including the lighting
installation. the Identification of the
right-of-way,. ETC.. remaining for &C
complishment next spring.
In the design of this unique sec
ton OF the Lincoln Highway is EN-,
bodied the mature thought of fifteen
of the foremost experts in highway
engineering and construction and re-
lated problems in the United States
who, acting without recompense as
the technical committee of the
Lincoln Highway Association, de-
veloped the general plan which was
carried to detailed completion
Through the collaboration of the en-
gineering department Of the Indiana
State Highway Commission, c. Gray
State Highway Engineer, Lockwood,
Greene G Company. Engineers, and
w. G. Thompson, late State Highway
Engineer of New Jersey, the associa-
tons consulting highway engineer.
Federal aid Of $4,000 per mile has
been allowed by the Bureau of Pub
lie Roads OF the Department of Agri-
culture. toward this construction,
the development of which will be
CLOSELY followed by the federal au-
thorities.
The ideas embodied in the design
of the Ideal Section which will
stand for years at its central loca-
tion on the Lincoln Highway as a
model for the gradual evolution Of
the entire route as traffic volume in
creases, impress many important
lessons through which the associa-
ton hopes to inform and mould pub
lie opinion OF the United States. The
design calling for 40 feet of 10-in.
reinforced concrete pavement. cap
able OF carrying a traffic of 10000
vehicles per 24-hour day. %one-quar-
ter Of which are estimated to be
heavily laden trucks, impresses the
necessity Of permanency In our mod
ern. highway investments on main
routes of travel. The width makes
for safety and facility Of operation.
The absence OF drainage bitches at
the side Of the road further incul-
Gates the safety idea, while the night
illumination increases the roads eff
ficiency by permitting . heavy vol
ume Of night traffic without danger.
The Identification Of the roadside is
In NN0 WStth 0knNn ms hnt~> Gnr
by the most advanced highway de-
|partments, which are realizing that
too little attention has been given in
this country to the Importance Of a
proportionately small expenditure to
realize the greatest beauty Of the
roadside.
many states can undertake, in the
hear future, improvements embody-
Ing all OF the principal elements OF
the Ideal Section design, it is felt
by the Lincoln Highway Association
and the officials Of the United States
Rubber Company, which made the
object lesson section possible, that
the design will be suggestive and will
tend to bring to the attention OF the
American public the vital necessity
Of adequacy In present day specifica-
|tions, II the hundreds Of millions
which are now going into highway
construction are to properly serve the
America Of today and tomorrow.
|! w. @. Thompson, the Associations
highway engineer, was the
author Of an interesting article on
+the Ideal Section Specifications in
the June 18th issue of the Engineer
ing NeNs-Record, which will be OF
Interest to engineers and highway au-
|thorities.