CONCRETE ROADS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5362, 21 February 1916, Page 7

CONCRETE ROADS.

Mein forced concrete for road ■ making purposes is now coming rapidly into favour, and in the United States they are constructing a trans-continental reinforced road, while Canada is building one five hundred miles long (says the “Hawera Star,” anent the report before the Taranaki County Council with reference to concrete road making). In England, too. many miles are being laid down. The old system of concrete road was never a success for the reason that in the course of time the constant vibration caused it to crock into blocks, which ultimately worked up into an uneven surface. This, however, is now obviated by the us p of a reinforcement in the nature of a .steel mesh which effectually prevents any cracking an ensures an absolutely permanent road. Eminent Engineers now agree that reinforces! concrete roads must be the roads of the future, but tliir cost of construction can only he determined bv the cost of material and conditions obtaining in each particular locality. Whilst tar via ted and far macadam roads wall probably give very good results, they cannot bo as permanent as concrete for the reason that, any tar preparation is a deteriorating substance. Tn this country. however, prepared tar is serving a very useful purjxvse and must continue. to do so for many a day to come for the simple reason that the eost of constructing reinforced roads would he quite beyond the resources of most, local bodies in the Dominion