Concrete Roads
and Their Construction

CHAPTER IX THE USE OF CONCRETE FOR ROAD ACCESSORIES Introduction.—In reviewing the constructional methods of the past, nothing, perhaps, will be found to be more striking than the large and ever increasing variety of uses to which concrete, during recent years, has been applied for the production of articles and structures of a permanent nature which were formerly made of timber, brick, iron or steel. The reason for this is undoubtedly to be found in the improved methods of making and handling concrete, which have resulted in a fuller appreciation of its superi- ority for many purposes, over other materials of which it is i’apidly taking the place. Structures or articles made of wood, iron, or steel, soon begin to deteriorate, and unless paint or other preservative is used will depreciate very quickly. Concrete, on the other hand, not only requires no paint or preservative of any description, but actually improves with age, becoming stronger and stronger over a long period of years. Thus it will be seen that, although the initial cost of concrete may, in some cases, slightly exceed that of other material, this is more than, compensated for by its great durability and low cost of maintenance. If any evidence were wanting as to the efficiency and economy of concrete, it would be found in the extensive way in which the great railway companies and some municipal bodies have adopted this material for a large variety of uses, and for which purpose they have laid out and equipped their own concrete yards. In this connection special mention should be made of the work being done at Taunton by the Great Western Railway Company, who were the pioneers of this type of construction ; at Exeter by the London & South-Western Railway Company; at York by the North-Eastern Railway Company, and many others which might be quoted. Excellent examples of this class of work may be seen at the Per- manent Exhibition of Concrete Products which has been installed