"We're not in Kansas anymore..." Posted: 21 April 2010
Newest UCRC board member Tom Levin (Hidden Lane) brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our organization. Among his reference books is a Massachusetts road manual from 1911. Back then, dirt roads from the horse-and-buggy days were falling way behind the invasion of the automobile. Until hard-surface paving methods could catch up, county highway departments had to deal with maintaining the old roads. Fortunately, the transition took long enough for a lot of the techniques to be written down. Tom has supplied many of the resulting sketches as guides for some of our problems. He has also located many sources and examples of appropriate, simple, and inexpensive equipment that the UCRC board will consider acquiring. Click on http://drivewaygroomer.com/junior.html to see one example (this particular piece of equipment would be useful on many of our paths, but not all.)
Tom has also spent a great amount of time and effort in sampling soil throughout the North Captiva community. The resulting aerial map and chart below demonstrate the need for different techniques in different neighborhoods, and even different needs on the same street in some cases.
Pothole Repair Possibilities. Dimensions will vary and scale is exaggerated for effect.
Soil Name
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Soil Description
Dry, Sandy, Loose
Firm, Moist to Dry
Hard, Wet, Tidal
Hard, Wet
Soil Particles
Sand
Sand and Shell
Sand, Shell and Marl
Sand, Shell and Organics
Moisture Content
Extremely Dry
Moist to Dry
Wet
Wet
Percolation - roadbed
Rapid
Slow
Very Poor
Poor
Percolation - near road
Rapid
Rapid
Poor to Fair
Poor to Fair
Compaction - road bed
Soft to Very Soft
Firm
Very Hard
Hard
Compaction - natural ground
Stable
Very Stable
Very Stable
Stable
Slope/Drainage
Sloped
Sloped to Flat
Flat
Flat
Water Table
Nonexistent
Varies
High
High
Tidal Influence
Never
Rare
Frequent
Rare
Erodibility
Wind erosion of fines
Wind erosion of fines
Water erosion/washouts
Washouts
RepesentativeStreet
Gulf Lane
Hodgepodge Lane
Both sides of airstrip
Rum Road near Longboat Circle
Problems
Unstable road bearing surface when dry, washboarding, rutting, and stuck, overheated, burning golf carts
Minor ponding/potholes in low spots, minor washboarding in high spots
Flooding, potholes, washouts, salt damage to vehicles
Flooding, potholes
Maintenance
Occasional leveling when moist, do not disturb stable roadbed, no sloping needed
Level and rake as needed, crown or pitch may be needed in spot locations
Crown or side pitch road at 1/2" per foot, level and rake on a schedule relative to traffic load
Crown or side pitch road at 1/2" per foot, level and rake on a schedule relative to traffic load
Corrective Actions
Skim loose top layer and replace with compactable fines such as pit shell, mulch will work but it is a temporary fix.
Develop, where possible, drainage from low spots, divert runoff before concentrating in low areas
Develop, where possible, roadside swales to divert runoff from road beds, Raise roads as budget allows to bring roads above 2.5 feet above sea level, use well drained fill such as washed shell (not pit shell) or sand/shell mix.
Develop, where possible, roadside swales to divert runoff from roadbeds
Right of Way Issues
Maintain a minimum workable area of 15 feet width
Maintain a minimum 15 wide workable area expanded as needed in problem areas to correct
Where needed & feasible, maximize use of existing road shoulders and easements to accommodate drainage and soil recovery for repairs
Where needed & feasible, maximize use of existing road shoulders and easements to accommodate drainage needs
Type II Street Scene
Type I Area at SW corner of community looking north
