HARNEY COUNTY
Roads in Harney County are few in number, but the combined mileage of these few is enormous. Fortunately a large portion of the County roads are good most of the year, but during the winter season communication by the valley roads is usually extremely difficult.
Highways are of extreme importance in this County owing to the scarcity of railroads. The value of improved highways is fully appreciated by the people and a very creditable beginning has been made on the roads in the vicinity of Burns. However, County funds are entirely inadequate for the carrying out of a road building scheme of any magnitude.
The State Highway Commission extended aid in 1918 to the amount of $20,000 which appropriation calls for a like amount from the Federal Government. The County joins in the co-operative work to the amount of $8,000.00. This makes a total of $48,000.00 for a beginning. Present plans provide that work shall start early in 1919.
Additional support was secured from the State in the forms of surveys. Approximately nineteen miles of the Central Oregon Highway within Harney County was surveyed in 1918.
Survey of Central Oregon Highway—Burns-Experimental Farm Section
During 1918 the State Highway Commission surveyed a six mile section of the Central Oregon Highway leading east from Burns and past the Government experimental farm. This project begins one and one-half miles east of Burns and ends two miles east of the experimental farm. The plans for this survey are practically completed. This survey was made under the direction of H. B. Wright, locating engineer.
Sage Hen to Burns Section Survey
This is also a section of the Central Oregon Highway and is ten and thirty-nine hundredths miles in length. The line begins near Sage Hen Creek and parallels the present road into Burns, with a considerable saving in distance. This survey was made at the request of the County authorities in order that some improvements they have planned may be placed upon a permanent location. H. B. Wright was locating engineer on this survey.
Glass Butte Section Survey
This is a portion of the survey between Rolyat in Deschutes County and One Hundred Mile Road in Harney County. Fifteen and six-tenths miles are in Deschutes County and fifteen in Harney County. This survey was made at the request of the Counties in order that local funds may be expended on a permanent location. The present road through Glass Butte section between Rolyat and One Hundred Mile Road is in poor material and much longer than necessary. Local plans provide for the opening of the new road as soon as practicable. H. B. Wright, locating engineer for the State Department directed the surveying of this line.
Reconnaissance Survey Burns to Vale
In April, 1918, the State Highway Department made a reconnaissance survey over the route from Burns to Vale. All possible routes were covered in the survey and reported upon fully to the State Highway Engineer and the Commission. The investigation resulted in the establishing of the route from Burns direct to Crane and down the Malheur River through River Side, Juntura, Harper and Vale. This survey was made by M. O. Bennett, division engineer for the State Highway Department.