Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-28
ROAD BUILDING
DEVELOPS INTO
EXACT SCIENCE
Fundamental Principles of
Construction Are EX-
planned.
VAST SUMS EXPENDED

By G. GRAY.
(Chief Engineer State Highway Commits
siOn.)
The construction OF highways in the
United States probably involves the ex-
pendtture Of more money than any other
form of public improvements
The demand for improved highways has
grown in magnitude with the develop
ment Of the automobile and motor truck.
| The intensity and type of present day
traffic have presented problems in high
way design, the solution of which has
proved worthy Of most careful study
by our most competent highway engi-
neers. While some of these problems are
far from being solved, great strides have
been made in that direction. The prog
ress in this line has been brought baout
principally by the cooperation of the
United States Bureau of Public Roads
and the State highway commissions, The
work OF the recently organized national
research council will also greatly expc-
dite the solution Of these problems
1t would be absurd to attempt to de-
sign and draw up specifications for any
type Of highway which would be applica-
BILE to each locality In the United States
The fundamental principles, however,
I upon which any highway should be de-
signed and constructed, have been stand
ardized throughout the United States by
the bureau of public roads on Federal
aid work. The same fundamental prin-
ciples are also used by the States on
State work where Federal aid funds are
employed.
In view of the vast amount of money
that is being expended and is to be ex-
pended in highway construction, 1t Is
U Of nd
contributes to the payment of these i'm
proVements, to acquaint himself with
these fundamental principles If this is
done, it will not be necessary for him to
depend upon information received from
the material salesman who fit the soIu-
t1on Of highway problems to the partic-
ular material which they happen to be
promoting or selling.
COUNTY UNIT
ROAD LAW.
The County Unit Road Law provides
for the approval Of county plans and
specifications as well as the inspection
of the construction, where proper appli-
cation Is made. While some of the plans
and specifications come to US prepared in
manner that requires but few changes.
many are so loosely drawn up that they
would permit the contractor to use any
quality of the material specified that he
desired, as well as perform tie work in
any manner that he should see 1T 1t
Is often our misfortune to be called upon
to inspect the construction of roads where
we had nothing to say relative to the
plans and Specifications and we are ex-
pected to secure a first class road Of he
type called for regardless Of the fact
that often the specifications provide for
a poor quality of material and permit
the contractor to perform the work in
the cheapest manner possible We also
have cases where the taxpayers are dis
satisfied with roads after their compile
ton, and apply for State inspection, ex-
pecting us to be able to tell whether the
materials have been incorporated In the
work and the work completed. If this
could be done we could save the State
and counties thousands of dollars as it
would be necessary to keep inspectors on
the work during It's progress. In no ctse
will we assume responsibility for work
which was completed prior to the assign
ment of our representative.
The taxpayers who are interested in
securing a dollars worth Of road for
each dollar expended. and they should
all be interested, should take an active
interest with the beginning of the sur
vey and assure themselves that the plans
and specifications provide for the best
construction of the type selected that can
possibly be secured with the funds avail
able. When a newly constructed road
fails, the blame is usually placed against
fhe contractor, which in many cases Is
unjust. The contractor, when placing
his bid, bases the same upon the prices
Of the material and the amount Of work
provided for In the plans and speciica-
tons and, IN many cases If he per-
formed the work according to the
letter of the specifications, good construc-
tion would not be secured. In order to
secure satisfactory work two things are
absolutely necessary, namely. adequate
plans and specifications, and rigid inspec-
ton.
FUNDAMENTALLY THAT
APPLY ANYWHERE.
The fol owing are fundamentals that
should be taken care of in any set of
plans and specifications:
Type-The selection of the type of
pavement causes more controversy than
any other phase of highway construc-
ton. 1t is phase on which the material
concerns spend thousands of dollars In
salaries to promotion men, and in lttera-
ture in an effort to educate highway off
Gals. 1t is needless to say, however.
that such educational efforts are confined
TO types calling for their particular ma
terial. In Justice to the different ma
terial concerns. however. ii should not be
forgotten that they have through 70
search and study aided materially in
bringing the standards of the differ mt
types of pavement to the place they have
reached today.
The State highway commission has
laid out system of approximately four