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Show IMPROVED j ROADS IMPROVEMENT OF DIRT ROADS Time to Find Out in Aiding Construction Construc-tion by Giving Attention to Neglected Highways. Improvement of the present network net-work of common or dirt roads, aggregating aggre-gating many hundred thousand miles, !3 urgeu by M. C. Krarvrp. a consulting engineer, as the next step In the better bet-ter roads movement. "According to authoritative information," informa-tion," says Mr. Krarup in Forbes Magazine, "a national program for completing in all 180.000 miles of fine road within 20 years is practically certain cer-tain of being carried out. Phenomenal growth of motortruck and omnibus service has thereby at the same time been assured, if the business organization organiza-tion required for the best utilization of these vehicles keeps pace with the yearly increase In road facilities. This much assured, and guaranteeing a favorable fa-vorable development, it must now be time to find out how much more may be done if the possibilities of the neglected neg-lected dirt roads are also looked Into systematically by the business mind and the engineer. "Common roads, if not nil sand, will support and afford traction for nny load, if surface and suhgrnde nre both perfectly dry. The wheels need not be wider than for similar loads on highly improved roads. If the road Is drained nnd high enough above the ground water, the required height depending de-pending on the drainage conditions of the surrounding country, the subgrade will always remain dry, and the surface, sur-face, while it will be wet nnd perhaps soft or slippery after rain, will dry quickly and will not suffer from washouts. wash-outs. Thus, thorough draining Is the first need of a common road. If such draining has been effected, all upkeep cost Is reduced nnd all subsequent improvement im-provement of the road surface can be made effective and lasting without re-survey re-survey and regradlng, whenever such improvement is wnnted." |