How are straight roads made straight over long distances?

430 views

I can figure a string line, but if you are using a 500 foot string line and you are even off by 1/2, that will end up being in a completely different part of town or on someone’s property by the time you are done. Do they just guesstimate and then when they see they are coming off they make curves or adjustments in the road? I know most roads arn’t straight, but the process still fascinates me.

In: 90

8 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Since this ELI5, I’ll do it this way….put a telescope on a tripod, put it directly over a nail on the straight line, level it with a bubble, point the telescope directly at another point in the line, now flip the telescope over(it’s on a bar directly through its middle). You can now put another nail in the ground on that line. Move your telescope to that nail, rinse and repeat.

You are viewing 1 out of 8 answers, click here to view all answers.