from On the Move, Summer (June) Quarter 1998, Volume 11, Number 2
Go back to "The Utah Technology Transfer Center On the Move Summer 1998 Newsletter"
Under the direction of commissioner Tony Dearden and Road Superintendent Thayne Henrie, Millard County Road Department implemented, in detail, the guidelines that were presented by instructor Bill Heiden during the Gravel Roads Construction and Maintenance workshop, March 26. These guidelines cover such details as:
1. Selection of proper aggregate materials and gradation.
2. Good weather conditions.
3. Removal of potholes and corrugations.
4. Use of water during construction to assure placement at optimum moisture.
5. Cross-section graded and material placed so that a 3-6% cross-slope is constructed.
6. Proper gear selection (i.e. 1st gear) when cutting and placing material.
7. Establishment of good side ditch drainage.
8. Maintenance of consistent roadway width.
9. Use of proper compaction equipment that is capable of achieving maximum density in gravel surfacing material.
10. Adequate number of passes with grader (9 minimum) to properly cut required width and evenly distribute material.
11. Awareness of effect of roadside obstacles on driver behavior.
12. Construction and maintenance of a clear centerline of roadway during grading, placement, and compaction operations.
13. Proper transition of cross-slope into and out of curves and construction of proper super-elevation.
14. Proper construction of intersections with other roads and access entrances.
15. Use of dust control stabilizing materials on heavily traveled gravel roads where economically feasible.
Millard County grader operators systematically and effectively used these guidelines in the construction of the county road on 400 West, between 7500 North and 11000 North (to see this site, go 3 miles west of Holden on SR50, and then turn north for 5 1/2 miles).
The following photographs show the equipment, sequence of operations, and the end product of John Larsen's and Robert Stephenson's handiwork. They are to be commended on the excellent gravel road work they are doing.
Millard County's early and consistent use of these guidelines are expected to result in:
Five workshops covering gravel road construction and maintenance were conducted throughout the state this spring. Use of these guidelines and various dust control stabilizing materials are being monitored and evaluated periodically by the Utah T² Center to document improved performance and service. The results of this monitoring effort is available at the Utah T² Center website: http://www.utaht2.usu.edu/
Local highway agencies who have applied these gravel roads construction and maintenance guidelines are encouraged to let us know where you've applied them. We will then be able to monitor and evaluate them accordingly.
If you missed these workshops, similar gravel roads workshops will be scheduled for the fall training season. Watch for our September newsletter and other mailings for more information!