Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Volume 78 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 Excerpt: ...will consequently be that no less than 45s. per square yard will eventually be paid for an expenditure which in all probability will not greatly exceed 30s. In justice to the authorities, who entered into so costly a contract, it should be stated that in the year 1876 the modern system of wood pavement was in its infancy, and that public bodies were somewhat timid in the Inst. C.e. Vol. Lxxviii. T incurring large outlays thereon; and as the contract stipulated that payment would cease immediately the contractors failed to efficiently maintain the pavement, it was considered that the risk would be small, as a proportionate amount only would have been paid. Much trouble has been caused by public boards accepting low tenders for first cost, and ridiculously low terms for continuous maintenance, and it has been truly stated on a former occasion by Mr. Burt,1 that some persons "were running a race to see which could get ruined the fastest." This prophecy has been literally fulfilled, but unfortunately, as in the case of asphalt and other systems of pavement when improperly undertaken, the consequences had seriously damaged the reputation of wood pavement. Considering that persons enter into contracts toefficiently maintain large areas of pavements with a daily traffic of 600 or 700 tons per yard width, for a period of fifteen years, for the sum of 9-. per yard, whereas the net cost in all probability will amount to 13s., it is obvious that either the pavements will be insufficiently repaired or renewed, and the reputation of wood injured, or that "a day of reckoning" must come. With theexperience already gained, it cannot be too strongly urged that public authorities should look ahead, and not accept a tender merely because it happens to...