Vault Early Papers of the University Box 2 Document 56

Belle Meade

Aug 8th 1860

Mr B. F. McGhee

Dear Sir

With the data before me it would not be possible to give a reliable opinion in regards to the proposed Turnpike road from Cowan Depot to the University grounds. You ask me to state what would be the probable cost of the road per mile properly McAdamized? Also the cost of similar road with a gravel bed; and which of the two is most durable. In order to answer the first question, I must know the character of the rock to be used in construction -- the nature of the quarry -- the quantum of earth to be removed from the surface -and whether then it could be taken out without powder.

You also desire to know the relative cost of rock and gravel for the bed of said road also the relative durability of each.

The relative cost of the two depends so much upon the proximity & accessibility of the material that without an accurate knowledge of the localities I could not give an opinion.

I can therefore only state some general facts as the

result of my experience in making turnpike roads.

A first class McAdamized road should be nicely graded thirty feet wide with ditches outside that space sufficient to cary off all the water that can accumulate in them, with properly constructed culverts in the depressions sufficiently large to pass the water under the road where necessary.

In many localities it is best to pass the water over the road by {illegible: paved-dish?} culverts. The centre of the road when measuring across section should be nine inches above the edges. The rock or gravel should be twenty feet wide. The first coat six inches thick -- the second the same thickness but twelve feet wide.

The angle of elevation should not exceed four degrees. (There is a law of the State saying that the angle shall not be over seven{underlined} degrees upon roads over mountainous regions.)

A crooked road is far better and more durable than a steep one. It is generally better to go round the hill than over it. A road of this class requires 64,800 bushls of material per mile, whether rock or gravel to complete it. If stone of good quality is convenient it can be broken to proper dimensions and put on the road beds for three cents per bushel -- say two thousand dollars per mile. When gravel of good quality is convenient, say, not more than a quarter of a mile haul, it can be put on for half that sum. On all level ground the gravel wears far better than our limestone, but on steep roads the gravel is more easily washed off. Except on the

level portions of the road would prefer the first coat twenty feet wide & six inches thick of broke stone, & the second coat of gravel. Where this is done the first coat may be put on the road in lumps of ten or twenty pounds and broken sufficiently with long-handle hammers on the road bed. If properly done is equally good and considerably cheaper. Would not recommend it unless the second coat was to be gravel.

First class roads are recommended in all localities where the travel will justify the expense; where the travel is not expected to be considerable, second class roads are often constructed. A grade of twenty feet {illegible: meteled?} sixteen feet is called 2d class. Though constructed in all respects like the first, the cost is greatly reduced -- more than would appear to the inexperienced; without the proper data to be exact, would guess the cost would be about 1/3ed less. I have known a first class road to be constructed for $1000 pr mile, giving a fair profit; this road ran up the valley of Whites creek, through an open country & upon a level surface, with an abundance of good gravel all along the road= side -- the haul rarely exceeding 100 yds.

You percieve that I have said notrhing here in regard to preparing the road-bed -- the cost of which depends upon the amount of obstructions to be removed.

I have thus hurriedly and rather consisely presented a few facts for your consideration.

If they should be of any

service to you or aid you in your conclusions with regard to the proposed road -I shall feel amply compensated for the trouble of reply to your letter

Yours respectly

W. G. Harding

{written sideways on lower right}

Letter of W. G. Harding regarding to a turnpike from Cowan to University Grounds Aug. 8th, 1860