The Gateway Slope Project is underway in Lansdowne! It will create a beautiful and welcoming “Gateway” to our wonderful town. “Gateway Slope Notes” are notes by Parks and Recreation Board Member Carol Martsolf, who is a professional civil engineer in Pennsylvania. In these notes, Carol shares educational updates and some basic insights so Lansdowne residents can be updated on the project.
Gateway Slope Notes #13: What are Contours and Elevations?
Additional clearing and grubbing has been done! I see more and more of it as I look from the Walsh Road driveway. I see clumps of twigs and tree debris. When I observe from the Walsh Road driveway, it reminds me of the huge change in elevation from Scottdale Road to the upper part of the proposed project along Baltimore Avenue. Can you guess the elevation change? It’s approximately 42’. It’s from an elevation of approximately 68.70’ to approximately 110’. Amazing! You can see the elevations in the attached United States Geological Survey (USGS) topography map screen shots! It’s so fascinating to read the topographic maps of our region (or any location really)! The closer the elevation lines are to each other, the steeper the slope. You can find topographic maps for any location in the United States! If you are traveling to a new location for a trip, it may be neat to explore the maps. They are found at usgs.gov. #GatewaySlopeNotes
Gateway Slope Notes #14: The Joys of Regrading!
One of the most fun parts of a civil/site design project is regrading! The existing contour lines (the lines you see on the attached USGS topographical maps for example) will be changed to match the new project. One of my favorite things to do as an engineer is playing with the contour lines and seeing how the new construction grading will be. It’s both art and science! It was fun to overlay tracing paper on the existing contour map of my projects and see the possibilities! There is much regrading planned on Gateway Slope and regrading is typically shown on the Grading Plan in a set of construction plans. It will be neat to see the regrading happen for this project! #GatewaySlopeNotes
