What are some differences and similarities between ancient Roman roads and the m

Question: What are some differences and similarities between ancient Roman roads and the modern roads we have today!?

I've been looking through the internet, and I haven't really found anything useful; just a jumble of info that has confused me thus far!. Please help!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The Romans were master road builders, paralleled in the ancient world perhaps only by the Inca!. Roads were most often built of stone, but it wasn't as simple as just throwing rocks on the ground!. The Romans first graded the area, then compacted the earth!. They road consisted of different layers of material!. They had drainage, both in the form of gutters along the sides and French (gravel) drains running under the road!. Many roads were also slightly sloped to prevent water build-up!. Roman roads could be built with other materials as well!. In the eastern empire especially bricks were favored over stone!. Less important roads were likely to be simply packed earth!.

The construction of modern roads is not very different!. One of the major differences is in the material used!. The Romans didn't have asphalt!. They did have concrete, in fact they invented it!. It wasn't generally used for roads though!. I imagine in some of the more important cities concrete might be poured into a form and then stone would be inlaid on top to form a road!.!.!. but I can't think of an actual example of that!.

By the way, many Roman roads are still in use today!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Instead of just scraping the ground clear, the Romans dug down and laid a base of rocks or heavy gravel and built up the road on top of that!. That was the secret to some of them lasting until today!.
Todays roads are much wider largely due to the size of modern vehicles!.Www@QuestionHome@Com