IMPROVED ROADING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18016, 7 March 1924, Page 8

IMPROVED ROADING.

REINFORCED TARRED MACADAM. TRIAL IN CHRISTCHURCH. A trial is being made in Christchurch of a new process of road construction, reinforced tarred macadam, and an experimental section has been laid down on the west side of Colombo 6treet between Moorhouse avenue and the railway. This piece of roadway on the direct route from the railway goods sheds, carries probably the maximum heavy and other traffic of any street in Christ-church, and the outcome of the trial will be awaited with interest.

The new process involves the use ot specially constructed mesh wire, known as the BIIC fabric, and this is placed between two layers of tarred macadam. The bottom layer is first put down and well rolled, an 4 the metal reinforcing fabric is then laid and dogged down to the road. The second layer ol tarred macadam is then put down and rolled well into the meshes of the fabric. It is claimed that the reinforcing fabric between the two layer* of tarred macadam will eliminate "the waves which at present are very noticeable on many sections of roadway constructed on the ordinary tarred macadam principle, such waves being caused by sinking due to weak foundation. The cost of the reinforced tarred macadam works out at approximately 7s 6d a sq. yard. Should the experiment prove successful it is likely that the new method will be adopted for the construction of roadways at Btreet intersections where traffic is heavy, and at spots where a weak foundation makes it impossible at present to maintain permanently a smooth road surface.