WASCO COUNTY
The Dalles-Three Mile Post Road Project
An appropriation has been made, by the State Highway Department, from the Post Road Fund for co-operation in the paving of a two mile section of The Dalles-California Highway between the east city limits of The Dalles and Three Mile Creek.
A project statement has been prepared, requesting $14,830.00 from the U. S. Office of Public Roads. The State will supply a like amount and Wasco County $4,000.00. This makes a total of $33,660.00 which is the estimated cost of the project.
The present gravel road will serve as a base for the pavement which is to be 16 feet wide. The improvement will include re-ditching of the road bed and the installation of culvert pipe in several places.
It is planned that work will start early in 1910.
The Pine Hollow-Kingsley Post Road Project
The section of The Dalles-California Highway in Wasco County between Pine Hollow, near Dufur, and Kingsley is designated by the State Highway Commission as a Post Road. This section is 4.0 miles long and follows near the line of the present road. The project begins at the road forks 21⁄4 miles south of Dufur and ends at a point on the present road 11⁄2 miles north of Kingsley.
The plans provide for the grading of the road bed, the estimated cost of which is $14,500. The State and Government are each requested to appropriate $2,500.00 and the County will expend $9,500.00. It is expected this work will be done in 1919.
Antelope Grade Post Road Project
The State Highway Commission has designated as a Post Road a three mile section of The Dalles-California Highway immediately north of Antelope. This is known as the Antelope Grade Section. The new road will be a 6% grade along near the present road.
The total estimated cost of grading to standard width and properly draining is $30,000.00; and the funds are to be provided as follows: State $2,500.00; Government, $2,500.00; and Wasco County, $25,000.00.
It is hoped this work will start early in 1919.
Survey—Seufert to the Deschutes River
A survey was made in April, 1918, for the Columbia River Highway between Seufert and the Deschutes River, along the river for the purpose of comparison with a previous survey over the hill, conforming closely to the present road.
This route, which was subsequently adopted, has a summit of 210 feet against 780 feet on the hill route, and a length of 12.8 miles, a saving of 2.7 miles in distance. Between The Dalles and Seufert about two miles was graded to standard width and grade in 1917. The proposed route follows close to the railroad, which is crossed near Big Eddy on a proposed overhead bridge and utilizes the old State Portage Railroad roadbed, as well as the already graded bank of the Government canal. Near Celilo, another overhead crossing of the O.-W. R. R. & N. Co. tracks is proposed, and from this point to the Deschutes River the highway is located between the Oregon Trunk Railroad and the O.-W. R. R. & N. Co., using about two miles of abandoned railroad roadbed.
This improvement requires only very light construction, except for short distances, and it is believed it can be kept free from drifting blow sand by the use of sand fences, as the Portage Railroad is used where the sand is the worst, and this was kept open with very little maintenance. With a smooth roadbed, and with nothing to cause drifting, it is thought that the maintenance on this account will be negligible.
The route is attractive, as it makes available at close range the Locks at Big Eddy, the Celilo Canal, and the magnificent Celilo Falls. The estimated cost of this project is $142,500.00. It is proposed to include this project in the 1919 program.
Deschutes River Bridge.
Among the bridges expected to be built in the near future is the proposed reinforced concrete arch bridge over the Deschutes river at Miller, about a mile above the river’s mouth. This will be a State and Inter-county structure, and will connect Sherman and Gilliam Counties on the Columbia River Highway, and will be located a few hundred feet below the present old wooden toll bridge which it will replace.
The design, which is practically completed, contemplates seven arch spans aggregating 580 feet in length with a filled approach at either end. The estimated cost of the bridge is $75,000.00.