Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1915 — ANOTHER CHAPTER ON ROAD REPAIR. [ARTICLE]

ANOTHER CHAPTER ON ROAD REPAIR.

Xewton County Enterprise: Newton county has been building stone roads for nearly twenty years, and* during that time our triends across the line in Iroquois county have 5 ten wallowing arou#d in the mud. The fever has •now struck them, ana desiring to profit by the mistakes of others the supervisors of that county last we* k made a tour of inspection *o ascertain, if possible, the best manner of building roads, and the kind of material that would give the greatest service. Their decision, according to a report made in the Watseka Times-Demoerat, was tor the use of asphalt concrete. The article impressed us particularly for the reason that asphalt concrete is highly recommended for the re-surfacing of macadam roads, just what is needed in this county to stop the exhorbitant drain on the public resources for making repairs to our rapidly disintegrating system Of stone roads. Believing that our readers will welcome any information on the subject that might offer relief, we give below the report of the trip of the Iroquois county supervisors, and their findings, as set out in the Times-Demoerat, and we call your particular attention to the closing paragraph in which asphalt concrete is recommended for the repaif of old macadam roads. After noting the purpose of the tour of inspection the Times-Demo- < rat says: The party boarded automobiles in front of the Chamber of Commerce building, Chicago, at about 8:30 a. m., intent on securing all the road information possible in one day's time. There was not a single disappointment. Those in charge of the excursion of instruction led the way first to the north side of the city througn the beautiful drives of Lincoln Park, thence through the west side park system, gradually working south to the city limits. A few minutes later the machines were bouncing over the concrete streets in Dolton, then they spun over the country road to Thornton. From Thornton they proceeded to Gary, Ind„ and from Gary through Indiana Harbor, Whiting, South Chicago and back,into the boulevard system of the Windy City.

Numerous stops were made that a careful study might be made by the interested officials as to the efficacy of various materials under the different traffic conditions. They examined concrete, brick, sheet asphalt, oiled macadam, water-bound macadam, bituminous macadam, ordinary macadani, asphaltic concrete and others. They watched the construction of asphaltic concrete streets. They saw the raw asphalt and the process of turning it into the finished product. They visited one of the largest limestone (marries in the world, and viewed the operations through which the stone must pass before it is ready for shipment in its many forms. They secured a store of knowledge which will prove of inestimable value to them in determining the best type of road for Iroquois county. What material will be selected for he stale aid roads t« be constructed the coining year will be decided at the board meeting next Tuesday. Based on the remarks of the supervisors as they were making their extensive investigation, the prediction would be that asphaltic concrete will be chosen and this in spite of the fact that this type of road was practically unknown to the county officials before their trip last Saturday. There is no doubt but that further building of concrete highways such as were recommended to the county by the State Highway Commission, will not find favor with, the majority of the board members. The investigators viewed the streets on which Sears-Roebuck and Company had experimented with concrete and found it wanting. The material had all been torn out and brick laid in its stead. In Dolton they examined concrete highways which had been constructed but two or three (ears, and found them broken up so badly that traffic was being forced to the side of the road to avoid the holes and I.umps. It was apparent that the roads could not be repaired otherwise than by complete rebuilding. It was while the Dolton toads were being studied that Supervisor Clarke of Sheldon, told of an observation he had made while motoring to Watseka Saturday morning. He stated that on the concrete road east of the county farm. a crack had formed near an expansion joint similar to the newer breaks in the road being examined, and expressed the opinion that it would be only a matter of time until Iroquois county would be experiencing the same trouble with concrete roads as in Cook county. While brick is very expensive it is generVly considered as a material of great durability for road construction. Yet, the supervisors viewed brick streets irr Gary, comparatively new, that were in nearly as bud condition as the Dolton concrete highways.

Inasmuch as they were seeking a material, investment in which would prove "the most profitable to the county, the officials seemed strongly to favor asphaltic concrete because of its apparent proven worth. .Asphaltic concrete is not an experiment, even though such roads are practically unheard of in Iroquois county. Several eastern states have found the material highly satisfactory, and it has been in use in Chicago for the past seven years, This year the city is constructing 1,500,000 square yards of asphaltic concrete streets. more street construction than was ever carried on by the municipality in one year. It seemed to be the general conclusion of the hoard members that some other material would have been chosen for so great an improvement project had not the city engineers ueen convinc ed of the superiority of asphaltic concrete.

It is interesting to note the manner in which asphaltic concrete was brought to the attention of Cook county. The South Park Commission of the city is a non-political body, consisting of members

serve without remuneration, appointed by the judges of the 15th Judicial circuit. The superintendent of the commission, Mr. Foster, found, about seven years ago, that ordinary macadam would no longer stand the increasing automobile traffic. He determined to find the best known material to take its place. When the matter was taken up with the commission it was decided that Mr. Foster should go to Europe anfl make a thorough investigation of road conditions. He spent six months in foreign lands and visited forty-six cities while making his study. It was there he noted the extensive use of asphaltic concrete. He found that the material had been used for seven years prior to his visit, and that the oldest of the roads were in ideal condition.

Upon his return his findings were reported to the commission and he was authorized to construct some asphaltic concrete drives in the south park system. His first experience was disappointing. During the hot days of the summer he found that the heavy autos would form ruts as they passed through the parks. He corresponded with the European engineers, who pointed out his errot He had been using too much asphalt. A series of experiments followed until the proper consistency of the asphaltic mixture for Illinois climatic conditions was found. More drives were consiructed. They were so satisfactory that the same material was adopted for road construction by the North and West Park Commissions as well as by the city of Chicago. The city, from the vehicle tax money, is also building many miles of roads into, <the country, where the asphaltic concrete has proven as practical as inside the corporation.

in the construction of asphaltic concrete, the supervisors found that a water-bound macadam base on a well drained sub-grade is used. On this is placed a wearing surface two inches in thickness composed o r ' ci-ashed stope, thoroughly dried and mixed with high grade asphalt. The upper mixture is applied while hot, and alter being rolled down is ready for iise ft* soon as cool, usually in about two hours. No curbing is needed, and there are no expansion joints. The county officials noted that, differing from concrete, asphaltic concrete is a “live’’ pavement. Because of its resiliency, it does not crack and break. It is impervious to water, and is unaffected by weather conditions. It is easily repaired, moderate in cost, durable and smooth. Re-surfacing of old macadam roads by the use of asphaltic concrete can be accomplished easily and quickly.