HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION 117 



FOOTPATHS CURBS GUTTERS. 



A footpath or walk is simply a road under another name a road 

 for pedestrians instead of one for horses and vehicles. The only 

 difference that exists is in the degree of service required; but the con- 

 ditions of consruction that render a road well adapted to its object are 

 very much the same as those required for a walk. 



The effects of heavy loads such as use carriageways are not felt 

 upon footpaths; but the destructive action of water and frost is the 

 same in either case, and the treatment to counteract or resist these 

 elements as far as practicable, and to produce permanency, must be 

 the controlling idea in each case, and should be carried out upon a 

 common principle. It is not less essential that a walk should be well 

 adapted to its object than that a road should be; and it is annoying to 

 find it impassable or insecure and in want of repair when it is needed 

 for convenience or pleasure. In point of economy, there is the same 

 advantage in constructing a footway skilfully and durably as there is 

 in the case of a road. 



Width. The width of footwalks (exclusive of the space occupied 

 by projections and shade trees) should be ample to accomodate com- 

 fortably the number of people using them. In streets devoted entirely 

 to commercial purposes, the clear width should be at least one-third 

 the width of the carriageway; in residential and suburban streets, a 

 very pleasing result can be obtained by making the walk one-half the 

 width of the roadway, and devoting the greater part to grass and shade 

 trees. 



Cross Slope. The surface of footpaths must be sloped so that 

 the surface water will readily flow to the gutters. This slope need not 

 be very great ; J inch per foot will be sufficient. A greater slope with a 

 thin coating of ice upon it, becomes dangerous to pedestrians. 



Foundation. As in the case of roadways, so with footpaths, the 

 foundation is of primary importance. Whatever material may be used 

 for the surface, if the foundation is weak and yielding, .the surface will 

 settle irregularly and become extremely objectionable, if not danger- 

 ous, to pedestrians. 



Surface. The requirements of a good covering for sidewalks are : 



(1) It must be smooth but not slippery. 



(2) It must absorb the minimum amount of water, so that it 

 may dry rapidly after rain. 



