Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roger Rankin Crook on October 29, 2010 at 6:36pm

Build a new bloody road.

Here in WA the base is clay & gravel graded, rolled, graded, rolled and then tarred and granite gravel. Roads designed and built for cars and light (8 tonne) and maybe six wheelers.

Now we run road trains on them with a GVW of 120 tonnes plus.

The roads become rutted. On the hills the water doesn't run off the road it runs down the hill, result light vehicles aquaplane.

Our main arterial roads outside of the metro area are two lane with the occasional passing lane.

It is not unknown for trucks to 'clip' wing mirrors on passing each other.

Permalink Reply by Merrill Johnstone on October 29, 2010 at 6:46pm

Apparently in Brisbane they resurface the whole area rather than patch because it ends up cheaper in the long run. I grew up in the Hunter Valley and they had the worst roads I have ever seen because they were just patch on top of patch on top of patch. It was a bit of a local joke.

Permalink Reply by Colin J Ely on October 29, 2010 at 7:16pm

Russell
Water is the enemy of roads, if it doesn't get drained away correctly it will wash away the load bearing surface. Remember our Tar/Macadam roads are just a better version to what the Romans made 2000 years ago.

Here is a photo of a road with not a glob of bitumen to be seen anywhere! ;-)

This is what the most famous unit in the Australian Army, 91 Forestry Squadron RAE (my unit! ;-) ) would have made if required ;-)

Permalink Reply by Russell Paul Luck on October 29, 2010 at 7:55pm

Well your pictures road has got the grip part down pat.

I know concrete roads are alot noisier but apparently last much longer.
What would their cost comparatively be though?

They would be better off pressing and leveling clay off, then to make temporary patch jobs.
Then resurface the whole thing... properly.

I have seen the patches that stick up just a touch explode when a truck hits them.
Not a welcome experience when it happens to the patch on the road diagonally to you from a truck traveling the opposite way.

Permalink Reply by Roger Rankin Crook on October 29, 2010 at 7:56pm

This is what the most famous unit in the Australian Army, 91 Forestry Squadron RAE (my unit! ;-) ) would have made if required ;-)

I just love your modesty.

I think we need you in the Cairns debates.

ring me (08) 98 441 337 if you want a lead. I need loyal troops.

Permalink Reply by Peter Schuback on October 30, 2010 at 4:10pm

The whole road system should e made out of concrete and then It would not break up as much and it would be a much better surface to drive on

Permalink Reply by Roger Rankin Crook on October 30, 2010 at 5:57pm

From where will we get the money?