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FHWA By Day

A Look at the History of the Federal Highway Administration
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July 22
1909 In West Newton, MA, OPR inspects an experimental pavement that had been built during the summer of 1908 with a binder made from a mixture of molasses, oil, and lime. The inspector finds that the road is "in a very good condition, except at a rather sharp curve where the surface had just started to pick up under traffic."
1911 OPR writes to the Iroquois Iron Works of Buffalo, NY, about the need for a 400-gallon kettle for an experimental project to resurface a road in Chevy Chase, MD, with bituminous macadam. "This section of road is traversed practically every day by the President and several members of his Cabinet, and a great many senators and representatives, as well as other persons high in official life at the Capital, and we believe will be a very good location for demonstration work." Funds are, however, limited. "We are wondering if you could make any concession on prices in consideration of the fact that this is to be a demonstration and experimental job." The letter adds, "If we were sure our appropriations will be continued through a period of years, we would buy a good outfit. If you have some good, second-hand kettles which you could rent to us, I think perhaps they might do."
Photo: Charging the concrete mixer for the experimental concrete road in Chevy Chase, MD.
Charging the concrete mixer for the experimental concrete road in Chevy Chase, MD.
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