Question

In 312 B.C., the Roman senate approved construction of a 132-mile (212-kilometer) highway, the Appian Way, from Rome to Capia. During the next 600 years they constructed nearly 53,000 miles (85,000 kilometers) of roads. (There are about 45,000 miles (72,000 kilometers) of interstate highways in the United States). Some of the Appian Way is still in use. How thick and how wide were these roads typically?

Answer

The Roman roadways were typically made up of four main courses up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) thick and cambered in the middle. They were approximately 35 feet (10.7 meters) wide.