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:
| Section | State Funds | County Funds | Government Funds | Totals |
| Cow Valley-Brogan Section | $ 20,000.00 | $ 13,958.00 | $ 20,000.00 | $ 53,958.00 |
| Burrell-Vale Section | 20,000.00 | 14,420.00 | 20,000.00 | 54,420.00 |
Both of the above mentioned sections are Post Road Projects. Negotiations with the U. S. Public Roads Office are under way for the grading of the Cow Valley-Brogan Road, and the Burrell-Vale Project will be submitted within a short time. It is hoped construction will begin early in 1919.
Survey of John Day Highway—Cow Valley-Brogan Section
During October and November, 1918, the State Highway Commission made a location survey of a 9.85 mile section of the John Day Highway between Cow Valley and Brogan. The line follows in the direction of the present road, but marked departures from the location were made in several places. Plans for this work are about fifty per cent complete. R. H. Coppock, locating engineer for the State Department, was in charge of this work.
Survey of the Central Oregon Highway—Burrell Ranch-Vale Section
A survey is in progress on the section of the Central Oregon Highway between Burrell’s Ranch and Vale. This line will follow along near what is called the Post Hill road, and will be about seven miles in length. Immediately upon completion of the field work, the plans will be rushed in order that early action may be taken by the U. S. Office of Public Roads. The State Commission’s 1919 construction program includes this section.
The survey is in charge of R. H. Coppock, locating engineer.
Reconnaissance Survey of Central Oregon Highway and Jordan Valley Road
During April, 1918, a reconnaissance survey was made by M. O. Bennett, division engineer, for the Department, over the routes between Burns and Vale for the purpose of establishing a definite route for the Central Oregon Highway. This investigation resulted in the choice of the river route by the State Highway Commission. The route as selected goes direct from Burns to Crane, thence down the Malheur River through Riverside, Juntura and Harper to Vale.
In November, 1918, a reconnaissance survey was made by the State Department for the purpose of establishing the most feasible route between Jordan Valley and Vale and Ontario. This report has not yet been submitted to the Commission, but the findings seem to favor the Sucker Creek Route. This survey was made by Manche O. Bennett, division engineer.