Published Resources Details
Journal Article
- Title
- The building of the main and developmental road system in Western Australia, 1926-1956
- In
- Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia
- Imprint
- vol. 28, no. 12, Dec 1956, pp. 317-326
- Description
This paper, No. 1263, is to be presented before the Engineering Conference 1957, to be held in Perth from 8th to 12th April, 1957.
The Author is Commissioner of Main Roads, Main Roads Department Western Australia.- Abstract
This paper traces the development of the Western Australian road system over the past thirty years. Prior to the advent of the motor vehicle, the need for road improvement was subordinated to the policy of providing rail services to the settled agricultural and mining areas of the State. The impact of the motor vehicle on an inadequate and neglected pattern of bush tracks led to the formation in 1926 of a central road authority with the functions of planning and constructing roads on a State-Wide basis.
The paper deals with the problems associated with the expansive geographical features of the State coupled with low population density, and describes some of the methods improvised for the surveying and construction of a system of serviceable roads. This pioneering phase of the road system in the sparsely settled areas of the State is further outlined in the. paper, and illustrations are provided of the various techniques adopted for soil stabilization, utilization of local materials and bridge construction. Owing to the loss of the laterite pavement surface during the dry summer season and to reduce maintenance costs, it has been found economical over recent years to apply a thin bituminous seal to the more heavily trafficked rural roads of the State. This aspect of road construction is reviewed in the concluding sections of the paper.
Related Published resources
isCitedBy
- Leach, J. D., 'Presidential address [1965] - The role of the engineer in the development of the resources of Australia and its Territories', Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 37 (4-5) (1965), 97-102. Details