OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS. 873 



about 70 miles of road to be improved. Subsequently the commissioners' court 

 employed an engineer, and the work was begim along the lines originally recom- 

 mended. On April G a second engineer from this office was assigned to study 

 conditions in this district. He checked up the previous estimates and made 

 recommendations covering details of the work on six roads. 



It was originally planned to construct G9 miles of road, but as the funds 

 were not sufficient for surfacing the entire mileage the grading and alignment 

 of the entire system were undertaken, with the idea of surfacing as much as 

 possible with the remaining funds. The second en^ueer from this office acted 

 as inspector for a time for the whole improvement work, and later confined his 

 services to acting as superintendent of construction on the Ckjleman Road, 

 which was constructed in finished form. 



Robertson County, Tex. — Precinct No. 1. — During April, 1912, a study was 

 made of the improvement of nine different roads in this precinct, aggregating 

 54A miles. An engineer from this office prepared preliminary estimates of the 

 cost of the improvement of 15 miles west of Calvert with imported surfacing 

 material, amounting to $85,440. An estimate for grading and surfacing with 

 sand-clay and gravel on 30^ miles east of the town amounte<l to $95,100. The 

 total estimate was. therefore, $1S0..'>40. The roads called the Barton. Wild 

 Cat, and Black Ridge roads, west of Calvert, were estimated for gravel sur- 

 facing with imported material, as there is no local material, and the location 

 is on the Brazos River bottoms. Considerable grading was recommended on 

 the roads east of Calvert, but sand-clay and some gravel are present along the 

 layout. 



Wichita County. Tex. — Precinct No. 1. — During December, 1911, an Investi- 

 gation of road conditions near Wichita Falls was made by an engineer from 

 this office with a view to the development of a model system. A bond issue of 

 $150,000 was available for road work. It was found that approximately 60 

 miles of road should properly be improved to provide for the main lines of 

 travel in the precinct. Estimates were prepared covering the construction of 

 33} miles. This mileage consists of 3* miles of bituminous macadam road 15 

 feet wide, 19| miles of water-bound macadam 12 and 15 feet wide, and 10^ 

 miles f>f gravel road 12 feet wide. Before selecting the roads to be improved 

 a careful study of the entire system and an examination of the existing road 

 materials in the precinct were made. In some places suitable gravel is avail- 

 able, notably north of Wichita Falls. Recommendations for handling this gravel 

 to remove an excess of clay were submitted. Unit prices for labor and mate- 

 rials were ascertained and detailed estimates covering 17 sections were pre- 

 pared. The entire cost of construction, including engineering supervision, 

 hiring of roller, etc., was estimated at $149,000. 



The problem of constructing macadam roads south of the town of Wichita 

 Falls involved importing broken stone and special care was given to the selec- 

 tion and cost of such material. Detailed specifications for various classes of 

 construction were supplied. 



Bennington County, Vt. — During the spring of 1912. at the request of 69 

 of the 74 road officials of Bennington County, Vt., and with the apjiroval of the 

 State highway commi.ssioner, C. W. Gates, an engineer from this office was 

 detailed for a period of one year for service in this county. The work of the 

 engineer consists in cooperation with the local officials for the purpose of investi- 

 gating the best methods of management, construction, and maintenance of the 

 highways in that county. The service of the engineer connnence<l May 1, and 

 his efforts have been directed so far to the selection of road-making materials, 

 the preparation of surveys in 17 towns, and suggestions and advice on particular 

 phases of road matters arising from time to time. Plans have been made for 

 two stone masonry bridges, and i)lans and profiles have been made for various 

 se<'tions of road in diflic-ult locations. 



At the close of the fi.«cal year construction was in progress In 12 of the 17 

 towns along lines indicated by the engineer from this ofiice. There Is a total 

 of api)r(>ximately 750 miles of public roads In Bt'iniington County, and particular 

 attention has been directed to the establishment of a good in:iiiitenance .system. 

 A considerable reiluction in the cost of niaintcuance has already been securwl, 

 and the use of the split-log drag has been largely adopted in the various towns. 

 An Interesting feature of the work in this county is the fact that i)rivate citi- 

 zens have donated road matcri.il, land for rights of way. and money to assist in 

 the work of road iniprovi'nient. It is expecte<l, in connection with th(^ work of 

 construction and maintenance, to m.ake a thorough economic study of road 



