Trails

[Pheidippides]

When I saw the the central promenade project was using some techniques to make the trail last longer and easier to fix I asked the City of Kitchener if they were using any similar techniques on the IHT upgrades. This was their response:

"The new reconstruction of the Iron Horse trail will not be using aluminum edge restraints. The granular base is being constructed wider than the compacted asphalt layers to provide structural support and adequate base for the top asphalt paving. The asphalt will also be tampered at a 45 degree angle to meet with the granular base. The strength of the asphalt paving is a direct correlation to the prepared granular base under the trail. The City of Kitchener has specified an asphalt paving detail/specification which should prolong the life of the new reconstruction of the Iron Horse Trail."

I don't know much about construction techniques. Can someone comment on if that is a good way to ensure the quality and longevity of the trail? Having ridden/run lots of trails with the angled edge I know that it seems like that is the first place that starts to breakdown so I am skeptical that more shouldn't be done.