Construction method helped delay opening

After watching the construction of the south approach of the Sand Creek byway for month after month I am not at all surprised that it developed cracks. The method of construction did not seem sensible.

After removing the old pavement, a layer of straw was placed. Then layer after layer of sand. Then came a thin layer of rock and gravel. Then more and more sand.

To hold the sand in place cages of rock were placed, with black plastic fabric to keep the sand from sifting through the rocks.

Then pre-cast sections of concrete walls were placed against the rocks.

I’m not sure if the roadbed is pre-cast concrete sections or not, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it is.

How could the approach not sink? The Bible teaches us not to build our houses upon the sand, but upon the rock. How much more appropriate is this advice for road construction that bears far greater loads?

The old tried-and-true method of using riprap (large rocks) with gravel and concrete poured into the cracks to hold it together, and poured-in-place retaining walls, would have taken a lot less time, cost less money, and showed better results.

I predict that this approach will give problems for many years to come.

ED TORRENCE

Sagle