Highway Location: Practical Considerations

The purpose of this paper is to present some of the major problems of highway location. There are administrative as well as physical limitations which determine in a large measure the work of the engineer on location. It is fundamental that the ultimate purpose of the road be kept in view and the location made to accomplish that end. Highway location does not include merely lines, grade, and construction costs, but traffic as related to towns and cities, other highways, and the general needs of the public. Too much location “for present needs” has been followed in the past with resulting loss, under relocation, to the public and to the individual citizen along the highway as well. Insufficient right of way for the protection of the highway is a serious handicap to its future usefulness.