03/02/1927 Board of Public Works Minutes

Home Browse Search

I h�ednesday wem ng, 1:arch. 2nd. , 1927. 28I The -Board approved the bid 'of the Schmidt Stone "Co. for tiro- tablets at the'diver Park Fire Station No.9. Their bid for two tablets complete and set I85.00. This being the date; continued hearing was had on the Vacation Resolution of 11att Street under Vacation Resolution No.I7654 In -the above matter, the Board decides to continue hearing on same until April 6th., 1927. I 1 City Engineer, Mr. H. G. Wray, submitted the following letter to the i Board, regarding the specifications for public improvements during the .year I927.- "March I, 1927. I: j The Board. of Public`Norks, i South. Bend, Indiana. Gentlemen: Important changes were made in the operation of the engineering Depart - menu during the last year. luny of these changes were made with the knowledge of the Board, as you know, had to do with the organization and plan of operation-. It was imperative that more modern methods be devised to properly handle the ever increasing amount of wotk coming into the department. A -fees major changes were made in the paving specifications; viz, the concrete pavement was increased in thickness from seven to eight inches Frith the addition of steel re-enforcements. The wearing surface of the Asphaltic Concrete pavement was increased in thickness from two inches to two and one-half inches. Also a binder course was added to this type of pavement and a different mixture of ingred- ients used in the wearing surface. No appreciable changes were made in the specifica- tions for the Sheet Asphalt type. P judgement II For the most part"I I feel that our ud ement was sound In the matter of I these changes above referred to. However, a demand for improvements upon light traffic thoroughfares is developing rapidly in South Bend. This condition is true in the developement of any rapidly growing city. It is apparent that if our present pavement specifications are applicable and sufficient only for light traffic thoroughfare, then t' they are insufficient for our hear traffic thoroughfares and vice versa. Realizing this condition, I have recommended to you in the following report the use of lighter types of pavement for use in recognized light traffic districts. Effort was made last year to improve the quality of the pavement foundation and also curb and calk improvements. we have had splendid results in our efforts to improve these conditions. 1,7e expect to get even greater results during the current Jiear. In the following paragraphs, I am recommending an important change in the specifications of these particular mmprovements, which will materially aid the depart- � ment in obtaining these ;~,rent �)r results. . .1 recommend the following changes in the specifications for public improvements to be adopted by you. i SHE'�T ASPHALT ** HEAVY TRAFFIC. No appreciable changes in this type witli the exception that the following two paragraphs be added to our present specifications. TThe asphalt paving gang must be at all times in charge of experienced and competent Asphalt street foreman. 1 ; at "The contractor shall maintain his Asphalt plant, during the paving j operations, a suitable supply of II/I5 gravity fluxing oil and a suitable supply of hard refined Asphalt (complying with the specifications) to enable the Contractor, under the direction of the authorized inspector, to easily obtain the correct penetra' tion of the Asphalt cement for any part or parts of the work. The Asphalt- plant must. be at all times in charge of an experienced and competent Asphalt plant foreman.rT ASPHALTIC COTdCRET'L*****HEAVY TRAFFIC. The binder course in this type to be increased from one inch to one and one-half inches. This type has the same latitude in its use as the Sheet Asphalt pavement and should have the same thickness of binder. The binder course is very essential to the life of the wearing surface under heavy traffic. Other cities using this tyke of pavement have continued the use of the thicker binder course. i SHEET ASPHALT LIGTIT TRAFFIC. 1, I 5 inch concrete base ii I inch binder course �i I N inch wearing surface In all other respects this type to meet the re giiirements of the specifics,, ._., tions for "Sheet, Asphalt --Heavy Traffic" pavements {`