Third Biennial Report of the Oregon State Highway Commission Part 21

KLAMATH COUNTY

In Klamath County the work of the Highway Commission to date has been limited to surveys.

A careful reconnaissance has been made from Klamath Falls to Bend, Klamath Falls to Olene, and Klamath Falls to Ashland. Funds were limited for more extensive surveys during 1918, but the location from Ashland to Klamath Falls (see Jackson County report) was started and will be continued to Klamath Falls in 1919.

A short section between the Klamath Falls City Limits, through Pelican City to a connection with the existing road to Bend was located by the Highway Department in August, 1918, and stakes set for 7,500 feet of grading. This section has since been graded and covered with a cinder surface by the County.

State surveys in this section were in charge of J. H. Scott, locating engineer.

LAKE COUNTY

Grading and Macadamizing Between Lakeview and Paisley

In 1917 the State Highway Commission appropriated funds to a.s.sist the County with the grading and macadamizing of a section of the Lakeview-Paisley Road through Crooked Creek Canyon. This work was handled by the County, and the total amount of State funds expended was $15,391.67. The work done consisted of 6.4 miles of grading and 4.0 miles of rock surfacing.

LANE COUNTY

Macadam--Latham to Divide

In 1917 State aid was given to Lane County in the amount of $6,099.86.

This money was used in macadamizing the Pacific Highway between Latham and Divide. The work was handled by County forces under the supervision of H. W. Libby, county roadmaster.

Divide Overcrossing

For the elimination of the dangerous grade crossing of the Pacific Highway with the Southern Pacific Railway at Divide, the Highway Department made surveys and prepared plans for an overhead crossing at that point. The Public Service Commission of Oregon ordered that this overhead crossing be built, forty per cent of the cost to be paid by the Railway Company, thirty per cent by the State and thirty per cent by the County.

Bids were received for the construction of the structure and approach fills on September 10, 1918, but before work was begun, the United States Highways Council ordered that construction be delayed until after the war on account of the shortage in steel and cement. Work will, therefore, not be undertaken until the 1919 season.

The structure designed for this overcrossing is a three span reinforced concrete viaduct, providing clearance for the double tracking of the railway. The cost of the structure and the approach fills is estimated to be $19,500.00. In connection with this, about 1.3 miles of new grade must be built to connect with the present road, no part of the cost of which will be shared by the Railway Company. This grading is estimated to cost $9,000.00. As soon as the grading is completed, it will be macadamized by the Highway Commission.

Survey--Goshen to Cottage Grove

In June, 1917, a survey was made from Goshen to a connection with the Pacific Highway south of Cottage Grove. This survey is on the east side of the Southern Pacific Railway from Goshen to Creswell, crosses the railway at grade at that point, and continues on the west side all the way to Cottage Grove, closely following the Southern Pacific alignment the entire distance. The total length of the survey was 18.2 miles. Mr.

C. C. Kelley was the locating engineer in charge.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Pioneer Mountain Grading

In 1917, the State Highway Commission extended State aid to Lincoln County in the grading of a one mile section of the Corvallis-Newport Road. This section is in the vicinity of Pioneer Mountain, and is known as the Pioneer Mountain section. The grading was handled by County forces and the total amount of State funds expended was $2,054.05.

Bridge Surveys

In May, 1918, surveys were made by the Department for two large bridges in Lincoln County. One of these was for a bridge over Alsea River near Waldport and the other was for a bridge across the Yaquina River at Toledo. At the present time the only means of crossing the streams at these points is by ferry.

For the Alsea River Crossing a 264 foot bridge has been designed and is now under construction by Curtis Gardner, Bridge Contractor. This bridge consists of one 144 foot medium traffic wood span and 120 feet of wood trestle. The total cost of the structure will be approximately $10,000.00. The construction is under the supervision of the Highway Department, but is being paid for by Lincoln County.

The design has not yet been prepared for the bridge at Toledo, but the total length of the bridge will be about 3,000 feet.

Neskowin-Salmon River Survey

In June, 1918, a survey was made between Neskowin in Tillamook County and Salmon River in Lincoln County. This survey was of a preliminary nature and was made to determine the feasibility of a road between these points. It was found that a five per cent grade could be obtained, but that owing to the extremely rugged nature of the country, a road of standard width and on a standard alignment would be so expensive as to be impracticable at this time.

The total length of the survey was eight miles. Mr. J. H. Scott was in charge of the work as locating engineer.

LINN COUNTY

Albany-Jefferson Survey

A survey of the Pacific Highway between the Marion County Line (Santiam River) and Albany, was made in December, 1917, and a definite route between these two points adopted. In a general way the located route follows the present road. Near the Jefferson end, however, the new location cuts across the property of E. M. Miller, paralleling the Southern Pacific tracks with a net saving of 1,600 feet in distance over that of the present road. Near Miller Station the line again leaves the old road, eliminating four dangerous right angle turns by cutting diagonally across. The new location also provides for the elimination of the present grade crossing on the W. E. Fisher property by means of an overhead crossing just north of the grade crossing.

For the first one-half mile south of the Santiam River Bridge it will be necessary to materially raise the grade of the present road as it is considerably below high water, and therefore subject to overflow. It will also be necessary to construct a few low bridges on this section to provide waterways for flood waters.

It is expected that the Albany-Jefferson Section will be graded and paved during the 1919 season.

MALHEUR COUNTY

Malheur County is an important highway center. It is most favorably situated with respects to highways in Eastern Oregon, in that it serves as a common junction point for the Old Oregon Trail, John Day Highway and Central Oregon Highway. A fourth highway will enter the County from Nevada leading from Winnemucca north through Jordan Valley.

Malheur County is fairly well equipped for road work and has already made a most creditable showing. All the people are good roads boosters, having learned the value and necessity of improved roads. This was proven by their voting a $20,000.00 bond issue at the recent election.

The purpose of this fund is to meet the State and Federal appropriation of $80,000.00.

In area, Malheur County is an empire in itself. The natural result is an extra large mileage of roads, and many of them run through mountainous districts. To improve only the main highways in Malheur County is a huge undertaking.

The State Highway Commission fully realizes the inability of most of the counties in Eastern Oregon to cope with the situation and has determined to extend aid in every manner possible. That State aid may be substantial and a benefit to all the counties, the Commission is making an urgent call for more State funds.

In Malheur County near Brogan a 9.85 mile section of the John Day Highway has been surveyed by the State Highway Department. The Commission has set aside $20,000.00 for the construction of this road and an equal amount is requested from the Government. The County has appropriated $13,958.00 for the purpose of co-operating in this construction.

State funds to the amount of $20,000.00 have been set aside for the improvement of a 6.76 mile section of the Central Oregon Highway. This section extends from Vale 6.76 miles west to Burrell's Ranch. The Government is requested to share in the cost in amount equal to the sum given by the State. The County's share in this project will be $14,420.00.

The following statement shows the amounts appropriated for expenditure in 1919:

State County Government Section Funds Funds Funds Totals Cow Valley-Brogan $20,000.00 $13,958.00 $20,000.00 $53,958.00 Section Burrell-Vale Section 20,000.00 14,420.00 20,000.00 54,420.00