ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 February 1939, Page 6

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

TAKING BUMPS FROM LINCOLN ROAD. NEW SURFACING PROCESS BEING USED. For many years motorists travelling along Lincoln Road and Perry Street nave noticed the bumpiness of the sin face of these thoroughfares, but as the result of top-dressing operations that are now being carried out the road surface will be transformed into one as smooth as glass. The process being used is a new one to Masterton. though it has been utilised in other parts of New Zealand for several years past. A plant ha,s recently been established for the manufacture of the product at Palmerston North and this makes it possible to carry out' this work at reasonable cost for local requirements. Mr C. R. Mabson. Borough Engineer, stated this morning that the product, which was a British patent, comprised three grades of sand mixed with a large percentage of filler. Once nixed it could be kept indefinitely before placing on a road. No rolling was necessary, as the consolidation of the surface was left entirely to the- traffic normally using the road, the rubber tyres of motor vehicles being admirably suited for this purpose. The road was treated with a tack coat of bitumen before the product was placed on it.

Mr Mabson said that although he had had in mind for some time past ho improvement of the surface of .hese two roads, it had only become t practical solution since the plant mentioned had been installed at Palmerston North. He said he saw the first road so treated in Christchurch about seven years ago and he had inspected the same' road again just before Christmas, the surface being excellent. The process had been very successful and many miles of road were being so treated all over the country. He knew of one road in Christchurch which had an exceedngly bumpy surface, whereas two /ears later, after being top-dressed with this product, it was as smooth as glass. Moreover, the, surface had the advantages of being completely waterproof and absolutely non-skid and the process built up the, road surface, thereby increasing its life. Before the actual application was made, a planer was run over the road to true up the surface and additional product was placed in any hollows to give it a good surface. The cost of the process, said Mr Mabson, compar"ed very favourably with any other. Work is at present proceeding in Lincoln Road and upon this being completed Perry Street will be surfaced. Mr Mabson said he had in mind also the surfacing of the Main Highway through the town.