For years, whenever Carl and I drove to Marietta to go to our boat,
we'd pass through long areas of Interstate 70 as it
was being revised, repaved and rebuilt.
I was especially fascinated by the methods used
to construct the roadbed. Since we went nearly every week,
I could watch the process unfold but was always
frustrated because we couldn't stop to explore or ask questions.
Now, the process is going on just outside my door, so to speak.
I took the opportunity, meaning to take some pictures of the barriers
only and found myself exploring the materials
used to construct a roadbed. Woo hoo!
The green stuff is ReBar, used to strengthen
and reinforce the concrete. The bent bars resembling
large hairpins, are poked into the roadbed with straight lengths
of the same material woven among them,
as well as wire mesh resembling fencing.
The concrete is then poured to a specified depth
amid and over the pins/rebar.
Of course, we've all had to deal with these concrete barriers,
which make up the temporary lane dividers as the work is being done.
Sometimes, it feels like passing through an obstacle course, where
every motorized conveyance from staid limo to mad hooptie
is funneled through a gerbil trail. Here the segments are
stacked, awaiting duty
All day, dump trucks full of dirt and other debris enter
this cordoned area about a quarter mile south of home.
They've created a mountain range of soil which will form
the base of a new exit ramp. I don't know
where it comes from, but there's a lot of it.
I hope they plant flowers and trees in it.
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