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 laying out a straight tangent with a constant grade, you place alignment stakes at regular station intervals to provide consistent references for both the line and the slope. The standard practice is to set stakes at every half-station (every 50 feet), and you can also place them at whole stations (every 100 feet) or at even-numbered stations, depending on the design and required detail. This spacing gives enough points to verify the grade and to transfer measurements accurately along the alignment without crowding the field with stakes. Stakes at larger gaps, like every mile or only at the ends, would give too little information to maintain the grade and alignment along the entire tangent.