NEW PAVING.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1926, Page 1

NEW PAVING.

DELIGHT OF MOTORISTS,

SAN FRANCISCO, December 14

Hundreds of citizens of Alontreal watched with interest the operations of a hundred men working on tho last stretch of Champ de Alars, laying the final hundred square yards of paving in an innovation in civic road-making in the City of Alontreal. The west end of the old drill ground assumed the appearance and proportions of a manufacturing plant, with steaming road rollers, puffing trucks, blazing boilers, and strange-looking “ heaters,” in which bellowed gasoline torches. As a matter of fact, the squad ami equipment were working under unusual and exceptional circumstances, and were putting to an actual test an experiment in l-oad-making never before attempted by the Canadian City with its million inhabitants. The work was commenced on November 7th, and the City gave the contract to a private firm, which was given the order to lay the surface with 11 nmeisite,” a comparatively new paving substance, which derives its name from the French chemist, who first prepared it. Dr Amies, bv name.

At its last Council meeting the ad-

ministration was authorised to go ahead with the work without calling tenders, for although the appropriation voted was 25,575 dollars, and the executive is compelled to obtain tenders for all amounts over 5000 dollars, this procedure was waived, with authority of the Council, and the committee was allowed to try its first experiment with the now material. It is a composite substance, manufactured of asphalt and concrete. It is claimed to possess the property of being laid in any temperature, hot or cold, to resist pressure, while being resilient, and to be almost impervious to traffic wear and tear. The substance is drayed, already manufactured, to tlie spot where it is to be used in largo trucks, and dumped into steam-heated vats, from which it is laid on the roadway. It is then rolled and tamped. Joints are welded with great heaters, resembling inverted vats, into which jets of flame are injected from gasoline compression torches.

The Champ de Alars is 15,000 square yards in area, and the work was done with City workmen in approximately ten days. The City, as well as all America, is closely watching the experiment of the use of this new material, for it will effect a great saving in paying as well as having the advantage of the road preserving an even surface. It will ho the delight of automohilists for it is believed no chuck holes will develop as time passes.