Simon Benson

“ For these reasons the Highway Department has not handled nearly the amount of work that it would have handled under normal conditions, but nevertheless a great stride has been made in the development of Oregon’s good roads system, and the Department feels that a fairly good showing has been made. The actual construction work undertaken and completed during the two years consists of fifty miles of paving, one hundred and eleven and eight-tenths miles of macadamizing, one hundred and thirty-four and five-tenths miles of grading and forty bridges and large culverts. ”

“ The Pacific Highway running from Portland, through Oregon City, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland to the California line, is probably the most important through highway in the State. Along it are situated nine of the most important cities of the State. It traverses the immensely productive valleys of the Willamette, the Umpqua and the Rogue Rivers. It is the intercommunicating road for nine of the thirty-five counties of the State, and passes through the county seats of all but one of the nine. ”

“ Since State and Federal aid have been made available the people of Baker County are fast coming to a realization of the situation and are making strenuous efforts to co-operate in highway improvement. No bond issues have been voted in this County but an example of their enthusiasm is supplied by the fact that private donations for co-operative improvement of one road amount to $15,000.00. ”

“ The grading work of the Highway Department is confined to the building of those sections of State roads which are so located that the counties in which they occur are not directly interested in their construction or which are so expensive that county funds are inadequate for their construction. ”

“ The purchase of office, engineering and construction supplies and equipment is handled by this department and a considerable saving is realized by buying in quantities. On all stock supplies, each job is charged with the amount furnished and similarly rental on our own engineering instruments and automobiles is charged, so that the cost of each job may be determined. On construction projects which are furnished with our own trucks, road rollers, etc., each piece of equipment is rented out to the job in the same manner. ”

“ Due to the uncertainty of materials, supplies, labor conditions, etc., contractors have been unable to make satisfactory bids and on several occasions no satisfactory bids being received, the Commission undertook to do the work by day labor, in each case effecting a saving under the low bid.
In a few cases, either no bids being received or the ones received being considered excessive, work has been let on the cost plus basis with definite cost limit set, beyond which no percentage would be paid. ”

“ The controlling points on this route are the slides which must be headed to secure a stable roadbed. A twelve-foot roadbed has been proposed for this project, with maximum six per cent grades and the construction even for this narrow width is heavy as it will be necessary to bench out the entire [91] width of the roadbed on solid ground, the slopes being too steep for fill to catch. Considerable bridging is required and a gravel surface provided throughout the entire length to insure an all year road, so the cost of even this narrow roadbed will be high. ”

“ In Morrow County there are found all classes of conditions affecting roads and highway improvement. In some parts of the County there are good natural roads, while in other sections they are extremely poor. As in most other Eastern Oregon Counties, Morrow County has to wrestle with the problem of maintaining a large road mileage with a constant shortage of road funds. Highways are of extreme importance, as there are large agricultural communities that have no railway connections. ”

“ The La Grande-Joseph Highway is very important locally, since it is the only road connecting the valley with outside points. The people in general are very much interested in highway possibilities, but the County funds have proven inadequate to make much of a showing towards permanent work. Most of the available County funds are required for maintenance of the existing roads, many of which extend through mountainous areas. Additional State aid is much needed if any substantial improvements are hoped for. ”

“ The most feasible place to secure the crushed rock necessary for this paving was from the rock being excavated under the grading contract with the Warren Construction Company, and the Highway Department entered into an agreement with the paving company, whereby the state would crush the rock from a big cut at New Era, and furnish the crushed rock for the paving upon certain agreed terms, the crushing to be done under the cost plus contract with the Warren Construction Company. ”

“ If widened and the alignment corrected in a few locations, this would afford a direct route to the Rogue River where a ferry runs regularly. Between the river crossing and Gold Beach there is a fair road requiring only straightening out and widening.
A large portion of the total area of Curry County is in the forest reserve making the taxable area relatively small. For this reason and in view of the heavy cost of construction, aid is asked by the County from State and Federal sources. The most needed improvement is the section between Port Orford and Brush Creek. ”

“ Especially is this true of paving work where a comparison of costs with bid prices show a very substantial saving to the State, as illustrated by the following table:
[30] Highway construction by the State Highway Department with its own forces has its limitation, however, in spite of the fact that it is often possible to do work at less cost than by contract. The Oregon State Highway Department is by law and of necessity an engineering organization and, in order to have the best success in handling construction work, it is necessary to have a distinct organization. ”

“ Between New Era and Oregon City, the Pacific Highway has been graded on an entirely new location, paralleling the Southern Pacific Railway along the bank of the Willamette River instead of following the location of the old road farther back from the river, where the grading is not so heavy, but where a number of heavy grades are required. In addition to eliminating these heavy grades, a considerable saving in distance is effected, and the dangerous crossing under the Southern Pacific tracks at Oregon City is avoided. ”

“ This liberal attitude of the people of Multnomah County is to be commended, and it makes available for expenditure in counties outside of Multnomah County, a much greater amount of money than would otherwise be the case.
The roads of Multnomah County represent some of the heaviest grading construction, some of the best improved and some of the most scenic highways to be found anywhere in the world. The Upper Columbia River Highway is by many considered the most scenic highway in the United States, and attracts a multitude of tourists annually. ”

“ A railroad asphalt paving plant was purchased but not used during the 1918 season, since no bituminous pavements were constructed, under new contracts, in that period. Three concrete pavers are owned by the Commission, as well as three road rollers, four rock crushers, and six auto trucks, besides considerable grading construction equipment. A large part of this equipment has been in use this season and not only has saved the cost of rented equipment but has been available at times when it was impossible to get the same elsewhere. ”

“ Grant County lies in the mountainous section of the State and its limits on three sides, north, east and south follow water sheds. The [102] general slope of the lands and direction of the drainage is toward the west but even here the country is of such rugged character that no natural passageways are found to relieve the isolated condition. The roads in all directions are very rough and of little economic value to the County. The narrow gauge railway leading from Baker to Prairie City serves the whole County for both passenger and freight traffic. ”

“ The fact that the County is well supplied with rail transportation only renders the demand for highways more urgent. Soil conditions are generally unfavorable for good natural roads although gravel deposits suitable for highway construction are found in most localities.
The County has made constant efforts towards an improved system of roads, but with 3,000 miles of county roads to care for and with considerable bridge work in the program, the available funds are found to be entirely inadequate. ”

“ The Department is working consistently for the elimination of dangerous grade crossings. No less than ten grade crossings have been done away with as far as through traffic on State Roads is concerned, during the past two years. Most of these eliminations have been brought about by holding roads on the same side of railway tracks instead of crossing over and back. Two of the eliminations, however, were brought about by grade separations; one near Rex in Washington County and another near Ashland in Jackson County, both of these grade separations being undercrossings. ”

“ In view of the increasing probability of the Coast Military Highway by the Federal Government, which would be a great benefit to this County as well as to the State in general, it is desired to construct such sections as are undertaken on the correct location and standard grades, so that future widening and surfacing only will be necessary to bring it to the high standards which will undoubtedly be maintained on this military highway. ”

“ Specifications covering hard surface pavement have been prepared by the State Highway Engineer and adopted by the Commission, as well as specifications for grading and bridge construction which have been acceptable to the United States Office of Public Roads and are used on all Federal Aid Projects in the State. ”

“ With the close of the war and the prospect of declining prices of material and a more plentiful supply of labor, the Commission looks forward to 1919 as a year in which a great deal can be accomplished and at this date a tentative program has been prepared providing for improvement of the State Highways in every county of the State.
The report of the State Highway Engineer to the Commission is hereto appended, showing in detail the work accomplished and the expenditures during the biennium. ”

“ All of the large amount of agricultural products of the county must be transported for long distances over roads and highways, and likewise, all manufactured articles and other supplies from points without the County must be brought in over them. For that reason, good roads are of the utmost importance to all of Wheeler County, which fact is fully recognized by the Wheeler County people. ”

“ The State Highway Department is very proud of its representation in the Army Service and in recognition of the patriotism of those employes who have gone to the Front, the Department has maintained a Service Flag upon which there are now sixty stars. ”

“ It was found that a better riding pavement could be produced in this way as the inequalities at joints were eliminated and we believe that the use of this pavement will justify the adoption of this type on future work.
Gravel and crushed rock shoulders two feet wide were built on this section and the pavement was not covered while curing as the weather was cool and damp. However, the pavement was kept wet by sprinkling when necessary.
The crusher and roller on this work were furnished by Jackson County free of charge.
Mr. J. M. Baker was superintendent of construction on this work. ”

“ The local road map indicates that the County is divided into two communities with the dividing line following the rugged country a few miles east of Prineville. A single road that is a succession of heavy grades and poor alignment, is the sole medium of traffic communication between the two ends of the County.
The people of Crook County are fully aware of the importance of highways. Although local funds will not go far, a remarkable beginning has been made. A County bond issue of $95,000.00 has been voted for road construction. ”

“ Surveys have been made on State highway routes to determine the best and most economical location, at the request of the counties, and also several important bridges have been designed and constructed under the supervision of the Department. Engineers have been furnished at State expense to supervise construction work being done by the counties on State highways in several instances. ”

“ If the State Highway Department is to proceed with any considerable amount of work with State forces, it will be necessary to purchase some additional equipment so that the work may be prosecuted more economically, especially is this true of concrete bridge work and general maintenance work. ”

“ 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. ”

“ This bridge being on the Pacific Highway, was designed for heavy traffic loading. A laminated wood floor system is used and provision is made for an asphaltic wearing surface although a three inch wooden decking is used temporarily.
This type of bridge is regarded as being very durable, and under conditions of the past year or two, very economical. The structure complete will cost approximately $26,500.00. Mr. A. S. Kennedy was resident engineer for this bridge as well as the one two and one-half miles south of Dillard. The construction is being handled by the Portland Bridge Company. ”

“ The Love Bridge-Black Bridge section covers that portion of the route through the canyon between the Keating and Richland districts. At present all traffic passes through Sparta and over the mountains to the north of the Powder River there being no road through the canyon. This survey is about ten miles long and involves heavy and expensive construction. This project begins at a point about seven miles east of Keating and ends about five miles west of Richland. ”

“ During that time 53.3 miles of the very worst stretches of this highway have been newly graded to trunk highway standards. This grading has eliminated practically all of those heavy and dangerous grades which have made Oregon notorious for bad roads and which have kept thousands of auto tourists from visiting the State. In addition to grading 53.3 miles on the Pacific Highway, the Highway Commission has put down 8.3 miles of pavement and 14.5 miles of macadam, the total cost of all of these improvements being $971,000.00. ”