RHODESIAN ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22131, 10 June 1935, Page 11

RHODESIAN ROADS

ASPHALT STRIPS USED GREAT SAVING IN COST POSSIBILITY FOR DOMINION A method of roadmaking that has revolutionised travel in Rhodesia and that midlife well bo used in many parts of New Zealand was described yesterday by Mr. H. Cramer-Roberts, of Kohimarama, who has recently returned from Africa. Mr. Cramer-Roberts has brought back full plans and specifications and handed them to the Automobile Association. The method in question is based 011 asphalt or concrete strips, the remainder of the road being made of any local material. In laying the strips gangs work a month ahead scarifying and rolling the whole road width. Two trenches two feet wide are then dug, so spaced that the ultimate strips will take any standard vehicle. The trenches are then filled starting with 2in. crushed stone, followed by in. key stone and sealed .with fin. metal chips, allowance being made for consolidation. About 100 gallons of asphalt are allowed, for every 60 linear yards. 111 rolling care is taken not to prevent the penetration of the asphalt. The result is a pair of strips able to stand any normal traffic and wide enough for easy driving, with extra width on sharp curves. In Rhodesia, owing to the heavy volume of ox and mule transport, the strips are not laid 011 very steep hills. The roads had made a vast difference to the development of Rhodesia during the past two years, Mr. Cramer-Roberts stated. They ran from Bulawayo to Salisbury and from Umtali to Melsetter. both distances of 400 miles, and many of the other roads had been treated. They commenced at the municipal boundaries in each case. Experimental strips to determine the relative merits of concrete and bitumen were also laid down. In addition to costing probably one-tenth of a fully-prepared road they could be economically converted. "With ordinary courtesy travel on this type of road presents 110 proplems," Mr. said. "Cars may pass without difficulty. When a reasonable distance apart each car moves over and proceeds Avith one set of wheels on a strip until they have passed." The roads would, in Mr. Cramer-Roberts' opinion, be most suitable for many places in New Zealand.