THE DESIGN OF THE HIGHWAY 181 



highway and which must be removed, screened, controlled, or re- 

 stored. 



With the results of the aesthetic inventory at hand, the design team 

 can analyze the potential for beauty for each highway project and 

 determine the basic aesthetic character of the highway to be built. 

 These determinations will vary greatly according to the part of the 

 country and class of highway. Certain broad and perhaps some 

 detailed design requirements concerning the aesthetic aspects of the 

 engineering and landscape components for the specific project will 

 result from the referenced inventory, analysis, and determination. 



To implement the broad design requirements, checklists for the 

 various design features of the highway should be prepared to insure 

 their consideration at the plan-making level. The engineering check- 

 list concerned with alignment and grade would be the most impor- 

 tant and an effective one could be put together by the many talented 

 design engineers and other members of the design team. 



Assuming that the basic landscape character sought has been de- 

 cided by the design team, the landscape design checklist should con- 

 tain design features such as : 



1. Have we enough right-of-way to produce the aesthetic and land- 

 scape character determined by the design team? 



2. What natural or historical features are to be preserved? 



3. Are sites for scenic overlooks and rest areas available? 



4. What special grading requirements are necessary? 



5. Do we need special specifications for clearing and grubbing 

 the trees on the right-of-way to minimize damage, for defining work 

 limits, and for proper control of borrow pits and spoil areas? 



6. What grasses do we need on our turf areas for appearance and 

 to control erosion? 



7. What is the appropriate planting needed along the highway? 



8. What use should be made of the unused parcels along the high- 

 way in urban areas? 



The above checklist is only a sample and additional items should 

 be placed on it as required. 



The use of section 319 of title 23 U.S.C. enabling the States to 

 obtain land with 1 00 percent Federal funds for scenic and landscap- 

 ing purposes can be a terrific help in building and keeping beau- 

 tiful highways. Make sure your State has enabling legislation to take 

 advantage of this section which is part of the very backbone of our 

 program. 



