States focus on erosion control in construction and maintenance activities.(highway construction)(Brief Article)

Public Works, April, 2002

Triangular silt barriers, geotextile filter bags, and concrete blocks are just some of the products and ideas state highway agencies are using to better control soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from highway construction projects.

The roadbuilding process often disturbs soil, which is then vulnerable to being washed downstream when it rains, causing a buildup of soil and other matter in waterways that is known as sedimentation. Excessive sedimentation can destroy fish habitat; clog streams, storm drains, and culverts; and pollute waterways, among other problems.

On highway slopes erosion increases not only as slope angle increases, but also as the length of the surface exposed to erosion increases. Slope length is particularly important on steep...

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