How frequently are alignment stakes placed along tangents with uniform grade?

How frequently are alignment stakes placed along tangents with uniform grade?

• A. every mile
• B. every quarter mile
• C. every half, whole, or even-numbered station
• D. only at the ends

Answer: (C)

When staking a straight tangent with uniform grade, you need reference points at regular intervals so the line and grade can be accurately reproduced on the ground. In the stationing system, a station is 100 feet, with half-stations at 50-foot intervals and even-numbered stations every 200 feet. Placing alignment stakes at half-stations, whole stations, or even-numbered stations gives a practical, consistent set of points to locate the grade and line without cluttering the worksite, while still allowing easy interpolation between stakes. If stakes were only at the ends, there would be no control points along the middle to verify the alignment and grade. If intervals were as large as every mile or every quarter mile, important small deviations or grade checks could be missed, reducing accuracy.

When staking a straight tangent with uniform grade, you need reference points at regular intervals so the line and grade can be accurately reproduced on the ground. In the stationing system, a station is 100 feet, with half-stations at 50-foot intervals and even-numbered stations every 200 feet. Placing alignment stakes at half-stations, whole stations, or even-numbered stations gives a practical, consistent set of points to locate the grade and line without cluttering the worksite, while still allowing easy interpolation between stakes.

If stakes were only at the ends, there would be no control points along the middle to verify the alignment and grade. If intervals were as large as every mile or every quarter mile, important small deviations or grade checks could be missed, reducing accuracy.