Abstract
This reviews (since 1925) the development of the system of bitumen-coated polder roads in Holland, which covers a total length of 23.000 km (about twice as much as that of all the roads together). Up to now the up keep of these roads had to paid for by landholders in the polder, so that funds available for the repair of these roads were always on the low side. Thus inexpensive methods of upkeep had to be evolved.