Third biennial report of the Oregon State Highway Commission

by Simon Benson; R. A. Booth; Herbert Nunn; W. L. Thompson

JACKSON COUNTY

HEAVY GRADING ON RUTHTON HILL IN HOOD RIVER COUNTY.
CONSTRUCTED IN 1917 AND 1918

The Highway Department expended in Jackson County during 1917 and 1918 the sum of $86,619.88. The work accomplished with this amount consists of six and five-tenths miles of 16-foot crushed rock macadam in the Siskiyou Mountains, an undergrade crossing with the Southern Pacific Railway just north of Ashland, and 4,200 lineal feet of grading and paving north of Ashland. A survey has also been started on the Ashland-Klamath Falls Road about fifteen miles of which was completed before weather conditions made it necessary to discontinue field work until spring.

Ashland Hill Grading and Undercrossing

On account of a contemplated undergrade crossing with the Southern Pacific Railway, a stretch of 4,200 feet on the Pacific Highway just north of Ashland was left unpaved between Ashland and Medford when the balance of the distance between those points was paved in 1914. In 1917 arrangement was made between the County and Railway Company for the construction of this undercrossing and the State Highway Commission set aside funds to cover the cost of the 4,200 feet of grading in connection therewith.

The Installation of the undercrossing structure was handled by the Southern Pacific Railway Company. The grading was handled by the County grading forces under the supervision of the Highway Department. Mr. F. H. Walker acted as resident engineer. The grading was commenced on January 7, 1918, and completed August 1, 1918. The total cost of the grading was $9,768.88, and was paid entirely from State funds.

COST STATEMENT ASHLAND HILL GRADING

Industrial insurance		$ 156.27
Grading, labor, teams, material, etc.		8,928.19
Explosives		102.08
Concrete drainage structures		14.70
Pipe culverts		287.03
Irrigation flume diversions		5.40
	Total	$ 9,493.67
Engineering		275.21
	Total cost	$ 9,768.88

Ashland Hill Paving

Bids were called for on August 6, 1918, for the paving of the Ashland Hill Section, but as no satisfactory bids were received the work was undertaken by the Highway Department with State forces. This section of paving is 4,200 feet in length, and the type of pavement laid is a 16-foot concrete, 51⁄2 inches thick at the sides and 61⁄2 inches thick at the center. The mixture was a 1 : 2 : 31⁄2, and a ratio of 5.6 gallons of water per sack of cement was used.

The average haul on material was 1.2 miles and hauling was done by means of trucks. The cement was shipped to the job prior to the beginning of construction and stored at convenient locations near the work.

A sixteen cubic foot Koehring mixer equipped with boom and bucket was used for mixing the aggregate. The pavement, after being struck off, was finished by the roller and belt method. The pavement first being rolled from two to four times depending on the condition of the concrete and later belted with eight and ten inch belts. The eight inch belt being used first. A very satisfactory surface was obtained in this manner.

CONCRETE PAVEMENT ON ASHLAND HILL IN JACKSON COUNTY, ON THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY
NORTH OF ASHLAND. GRADED AND PAVED IN 1918

Continuous forms were used on this work and 1⁄4x4 inch elastite joints were placed at 30 foot intervals, leaving approximately two inches of concrete above the elastite and giving the pavement the appearance of monolithic construction. 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.

COST STATEMENT ASHLAND HILL PAVEMENT

4,200 feet 16′ Concrete Pavement
Built in 1918

Quan- tity	Item		Total Cost	Unit Cost
7682	sq. yds.—1 : 2 : 31⁄2 Concrete Pavement Average Thickness 6″		$ 14,117.56	$ 1.84
400	cu. yds.—Crushed Gravel in Shoulders		1,000.00	2.50
1000	pounds—Reinf. Steel		70.00	.07
2240	lin. ft.—Expansion Joints		89.60	.04
		Total Cost of Construction	$ 15,277.16
		Engineering	630.87
		Grand Total Cost	$ 15,908.03

Siskiyou Mountain Macadam

During the 1917 season, 61⁄2 miles of broken stone macadam was constructed on the [Pacific Highway in the Siskiyou Mountains]. This macadam is sixteen feet in width, and extends from the California State Line to Siskiyou. It was constructed with State forces under the supervision of L. L. Clarke, construction superintendent. A total of 17,780 cubic yards of rock were crushed and placed on the road. The cost of the work complete was $56,252.98.

Survey—Ashland to Klamath Falls

On August 25, 1918, a location survey was started between Ashland and Klamath Falls. After a careful reconnaissance of the low passes, the route via Green Springs Mountain was chosen, as against the Dead Indian Summit, 500 feet higher.

Surveys were continued until November 30, when they were discontinued for the winter months. The present road is in such poor condition, that maintaining a locating party at work during the winter would be very expensive.

During the short time the party was in the field, 15.6 miles of location were staked, a six per cent grade from the summit of Green Springs Mountain toward Ashland being obtained, whereas the present road has many stretches over 20 per cent. Also, over a section between the Green Springs Summit and Jenny Creek, 9 miles to the south, a location has been obtained that will give for the greater distance, very cheap construction and the lightest of grades. This will be appreciated by all who have traveled the present rocky road with its series of bad grades.

ON THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY SOUTH OF WOLF CREEK IN JOSEPHINE COUNTY. CONSTRUCTED IN
1917 AND 1918

This road is a very vital one to the Rogue River and Klamath Valleys. At present it is only passable during summer months for auto traffic, while a road built on standard line and grades would soon make it an all year highway.

There will be an enormous exchange of commodities between the two valleys when the road is constructed. It will make a three hour auto trip between Ashland and Klamath Falls, which now takes 81⁄2 hours by train via Weed, California.

The location will be resumed in the spring, and continued to Klamath Falls. Surveys have been in charge of Mr. J. H. Scott, locating engineer.