A greenway is usually defined as a paved path which is used for a range of purposes; it is actually multipurpose as it can accommodate several uses. Greenway pavement are used all over the world for specific purposes, however, they are majorly used as walk ways for pedestrians and biking. Although walkways are seemed to be less important by the general public, they possess a great use especially for bikers, pedestrians or old people who would want to walk around to boost their health (Smith, 2014).
More often than not you would see several greenway pavements in several parks, game parks and other social sites across the United States of America. The context of this study was to explore the processes used to make greenway pavements. This study tried to explore the underlying features and activities that are carried out to construct a greenway (Cole, 2013).
Several efforts have been geared towards improving the quality of greenways in the past. Several researchers have come up with strategies that can be used to improve pathways so that they can be more efficient to pedestrians, bikers and more so to last long; it is a very costly venture which has financial obligations, if it can’t last long, it means a lot of many is running into waste (Smith, 2014). To construct a greenway, one needs several items, however, proper survey must be carried out by a credible engineering unit in order to ascertain which part is best suited for the construction.
The materials needed for the construction of a greenway include concrete, cement, course aggregate and fine aggregate. All these materials allow water to seep through it therefore helps in recharging or refilling underground water rather than holding it. The construction of a greenway is done is layers, the first and topmost layer is the break, the second layer grass, followed by sand, aggregate gravel, compacted earth and finally sand. All the layers form part and parcel of the greenway pavement. Nothing much can be done on the pavement since it is not being used by heavy motor vehicles. Greenway pavements are uniquely constructed and therefore hold a special feature of allowing water back into the ground (Cole, 2013).
During construction, clearing and grubbing should be performed on the project for approximate distance of five feet on either side of greenway (Smith, 2014). However, trees with more than 15” diameter may be left provided they are approximately two feet clear of the greenway. A ten feet vertical clearance should be done from the greenway to the tree canopy if they exist. The greenway shoulders should be properly graded to drain effectively; this should be followed by at least two feet seed on either sides as spelt out by standard specification section 1660. However, an undercut of up to about 12 inches should be to remove any unsuitable material. All the layers of the embankments should be compacted; each layer of the embankments should be compacted to a density that is equal to approximately 90% of that can be obtained by compacting a sample material. These would allow water to seep back to the ground (Cole, 2013).
However, embankment testing should be done verify the roller patterns and the equipment in order to achieve maximum density after compacting after which a fine grading of the subgrade should be done. The subgrade should be compacted to a density of approximately 92% of what can be obtained by compacting a sample material. Since the subgrade might not be very effective, a tolerance of + or – one inch will be allowed after grading the subgrade to a uniform surface. After all these processes, the greenway is constructed and opened for public use. However, proper maintenance should be ensured for its durability (Smith, 2014).
References
Smith, J., (2014). The Construction of Greenway Pavement in North Carolina. John Wiley
And Sons Publishers. Upper Saddle River, United States of America.
Cole, M., (2013). The Process of Constructing a Greenway Pavement. A Modern Guide to
Effective Engineering. Springer Publishers, Routledge, United States of America
