DESCHUTES COUNTY
Bend-Lapine Cinder Macadam
During the year 1917, an appropriation was made by the Highway Commission for the construction of cinder macadam between Bend and Lapine. This work was advertised and, proposals were received on August 7, 1917. As the bids submitted at that time were not considered favorable, all were rejected, and the work was undertaken under the supervision of the County Court.
This section, which had been graded under a previous administration, passes through a flat, pine district, with a surface formation of volcanic ash, which is a very poor road material, roads without surfacing becoming practically impassable during the summer season.
As no rock or gravel was available for macadamizing, scoria or volcanic cinder was used, of which material there is an inexhaustible supply along the right-of-way. This scoria is very light, weighing about 1,700 pounds per cubic yard. It, however, has made an excellent macadam, and because of its lightness can be handled and placed cheaper than either rock or gravel. The results are as favorable as if the best pit-run gravel could have been had.
A total of 18,300 cubic yards of cinder macadam was placed on this section and twelve and five-tenths miles of completed surface was secured. The total cost was $20,183.60, giving a unit cost of approximately $1,600.00 per mile, which is proof of the economy of this type of construction where volcanic cinder is obtainable.
Survey—Rolyat to One Hundred Mile Road
In September and October, 1918, the State Highway Commission made a location survey on the section of the Bend-Burns Highway between Rolyat, in Deschutes County and the One Hundred Mile Road, in Harney County. The object of the survey at this time is to secure a more direct route and to avoid the bad section of the present road through the Glass Buttes district. The length of this survey is seventeen and one-tenth miles and it materially shortens the distance, as compared with the present road between the terminal points mentioned.
Fifteen and six-tenths miles of this line are in Deschutes County and one and five-tenths miles in Harney County. The northeast corner of Lake County is touched by the survey but only for a short distance. The definite limits are not shown as the County Lines could not be found and it was deemed not advisable to go to the cost of reestablishing the lines for the purpose of the survey. The new location leads in an easterly direction from Rolyat and continues to the north of the present road.
The plans for this survey will be made up in the near future. H. B. Wright was the locating engineer in charge.