SURVEYING AND PLANNING FOR A ROAD AND USEFUL CONSIDERATION FOR THE HILLY ALIGNMENT

Survey and alignment of a new road do not generally present many problems except in a hilly and mountainous country which call for special skill. The aim should be to establish the easiest shortest and the most economical line of communication between the obligatory points which will have the minimum cost of construction and maintenance. In trying to reduce the cost of construction, it is false economy to lower the standards of alignment and grade of the road. Sharp curves and the steep gradients should be avoided and balancing cuttings and fillings obtained as far as possible. As far as possible, the road alignment should be on the high ground or ridge required to ensure the good drainage. Some times the length of the route will necessitate increase, which should be done only with in the economical limits of the motive power and the extra construction and maintenance cost, to obtain easy curves and gradients, however greater attention must be paid to fitting the road into the landscape, and doing all possible to preserve the beauty of the sides. It is usually agreed that this is best way to use for the long sweeping curves both vertical and the horizontal and by avoidance of hard lines. In laying down the minimum vertical and the horizontal curves the basic idea is that a reasonably long section of any road should permit of the same speed maintained throughout the length. Preliminary investigation is of utmost importance and should be undertaken by an experience hand responsible Engineer and the general examination can be done by walking or riding along the probable routes. The general examination enables the Engineer to select one or more promising routes which have to be investigated in detail:-- Er Fateh Chand Guleria