History

Introduction

At what point back in time is it suitable to start referring to the historical aspect of concrete paving in Australia.  It would appear this answer would be no different to who is the best judge to claim a painting is excellent.  This webpage is an attempt to catalogue historical articles, oral history and old video footage of concrete pavement construction and is by no means complete.

Oral History

A concise oral history of concrete pavements was produced by Roads & Traffic Authority (NSW) in 2002.  George Vorobieff led the project with Vince Taranto providing guidance and financial support.  An oral history appears first in the catalogue of historical documents on this webpage as it reveals what you are unlikely to find in the files and the history books.  In this oral history, it is told by the people who were there, those who were involved, who made it happen and who were affected.  Obviously, an oral history account may also tell about relationships, perceptions and the political climate which are part of life.  The 18-part oral history covers the following topics:

Part 1: The history of concrete

Part 2: NSW Main Roads Board; the DMR; the 1940s

Part 3: The Ulmarra pavement

Part 4: Warringah Expressway

Part 5: The Lower Yarra Crossing Project

Part 6: Clybucca Flat – the challenge

Part 7: The Botany Foreshore Road project

Part 8: The Hume Highway

Part 9: Works at Tumblong Section 2 and beyond

Part 10: Flexible vs rigid pavements

Part 11: Overseas influences

Part 12: Types of concrete pavements

Part 13: Composition of modern concrete roads

Part 14: Noise reduction techniques

Part 15: The future for concrete roads

Part 16: Quality Control and Quality Assurance

Part 17: The Concrete Pavement Manual

Part 18: Challenges that lie ahead

To download the oral history files, click here.  It is recommended that you download the full MP3 file rather than individual chapters of the complete series.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/about/environment/protecting-heritage/oral-history-program/developments-in-concrete-pavements.html

Historical movies from DMR

On YouTube there are several archival films for concrete road construction and the titles and links are as follows:

1928 silent film about using concrete to construct Parramatta Road, Sydney, NSW (Link) – No commentary or sound on playback.

Construction of the Great Northern Highway from Hornsby to Hawkesbury River, NSW (1928) – (Link) – No commentary or sound on playback.  Includes the construction of both flexible and concrete pavements.

Construction of Warringah Freeway, North Sydney  (Link) Construction of jointed reinforced concrete pavement with lean mix concrete subbase.

Historical articles from DMR’s journal

Research and development in concrete pavements (Link) – An article based on a paper presented by Departmental Engineer, Mr. E. Haber to the Cement and Concrete Association of Australia’s Staff Technical Conference Session on Concrete Pavements. June 1982