The absence of figures in the column headed “County funds” in the above tabulation is explained by the fact that Union County, in the matter of co-operation, has agreed to expend certain sums on other roads than those mentioned in the table. The County’s appropriation for the improvement of the La Grande-Kamela section of the Old Oregon Trail is $40,000.00 and $10,000.00 additional has been stipulated for use in improving the Elgin-Willow Creek Section of the La Grande-Joseph Highway. The County has also provided funds for the completion of the grading between La Grande and Hot Lake.
Union-Telocaset Section Grading
In August, 1918, the State Highway Commission called for bids on the grading of a six mile section between Union and Telocaset. The Union County Court was the successful bidder and the Commission awarded the contract but it later developed that the County could not legally hold the position of contractor in doing State work. As the other bids were unsatisfactory the situation resulted in the State taking over the work and doing it with the State forces, and by November 30, the project was about 60% complete. The total estimated cost of this work is $30,000.00 and $16,642.29 has been expended to date. Mr. R. A. Pratt is resident engineer in charge.
Elgin-Minam Section
The State Highway Commission opened bids on the grading of a 9.37 mile section between Elgin and Minam Hill. In the letting of this work they experienced the same difficulty as with the Union-Telocaset work. (See report on the [Union-Telocaset grading]). The subsequent action of the State Highway Commission in taking the contract over to be done by State forces resulted in work starting in August, 1918. Owing to weather and soil conditions work on this section has closed down for the winter. The amount expended is $3,838.44 and the total estimated cost is $41,151.00. Mr. R. A. Pratt, resident engineer for the State Highway Department was in charge of this work and Mr. C. A. Dunn was superintendent.
La Grande-Hot Lake Grading
In November, 1917, the State Highway Department appropriated $5,000.00 to co-operate on the grading of that section of the Old Oregon Trail between Hot Lake and La Grande. Grading work started within the month and two miles were graded when work was closed for the winter.
This work was continued during the present season and up to November 30, about five miles of grade had been completed. In addition to the $5,000.00 of State money the County has expended about $3,000.00. It will require about $3,000.00 to complete the grading and an additional $5,500.00 for bridges. The bridge plans call for concrete structures.