Photos

170 years ago this week, the Scottish engineer and road builder, John McAdam died. However, his legacy lives on not only in his roads but in this road name, 20000 kilometres from his home country.

"In 1816, McAdam had been appointed surveyor to the Bristol Turnpike Trust, where he decided to remake the roads under his care with crushed stone bound with gravel on a firm base of large stones. A camber, making the road slightly convex, ensured rainwater would rapidly drain off the road rather than penetrate and damage the road's foundations. This construction method, the greatest advance in road construction since Roman times, became known as "macadamization", or, more simply, "macadam". (Wikipedia)

I notice the variation in spelling between McAdam's surname and the macadam method he pioneered but I'm happy to claim the connection between the man and this rural Southland road. Maybe it was a Kiwi farming pioneer who gave the road its name. If so, this fine example of a macadam road has been serendipitously named.

The spring flush of growth is upon us, the buttercups are blooming and MacAdam Road is awaiting its next tractor/sheep truck/school bus.

Requiescas in pace, John Loudon McAdam (1756-1836).