For the construction of 25.5 miles on the John Day River Highway between the mouth of Sarvice Creek and the Grant County Line, the Highway Department has set aside the sum of $63,345.70 to be added to 63,345.70 of Federal Post Road Funds and $36,000.00 of county funds to provide the total amount of $162,691.40 which the project is estimated to cost.
The Department has further been instrumental in securing Federal Aid for the construction of a Forest Road Project 5.5 miles in length between Mitchell and the Crook County Line, known as the Ochoco Canyon Project. On this project the State will expend $20,050.00, the Federal Government, $20,050.00 and the County, $4,900.00, $45,000.00 in all.
In summary, State Aid and Federal Government Aid extended to Wheeler County during 1917 and 1918 and set aside to be expended in 1919 and 1920, are as follows:
| State Funds | County Funds | Federal Govt. Funds | Total | ||
| Expended in 1917 and 1918— | |||||
| On grading Cummings Hill Sec. | $ 7,004.85 | $ 7,527.50 | ... | $ 14,532.35 | |
| On macadamizing Cummings Hill Section | 32,465.44 | ... | ... | 32,465.44 | |
| On grading Bridge Creek Sec. | 14,235.45 | 10,000.00 | ... | 24,235.45 | |
| Total | $ 53,705.74 | $ 17,527.50 | ... | $ 71,233.24 | |
| Appropriated for Expenditure in 1919 and 1920— | |||||
| On Sarvis Creek-Grant County Line Section | $ 63,345.70 | $ 36,000.00 | $ 63,345.70 | $ 162,691.40 | |
| On Ochoco Canyon Section | 20,050.00 | 4,900.00 | 20,050.00 | 45,000.00 | |
| Total | $ 83,395.70 | $ 40,900.00 | $ 83,395.70 | $ 207,691.40 | |
Cummings Hill Grading
On June 19th 1917, a contract was let to the Elliott Contracting Co. of Portland, Oregon, for the construction of 3.5 miles of grade between the foot of Cummings Hill, north of Fossil, and the Gilliam County line. This construction was a five per cent development to eliminate the heavy grades and narrow roadbed of the former road. Work was commenced on July 6th, 1917, and completed on October 5th, 1917. The work of the contracting firm was very satisfactory, and an excellent piece of grading was secured. The Engineer in charge for the Highway Department was Mr. B. H. McNamee.
The total cost of the work was $14,532.35, of which the State paid $7,004.85 and Wheeler County $7,527.50. The detailed cost statement follows:
DETAILED EXPENDITURE STATEMENT—GRADING
CUMMINGS HILL, SECTION
| Engineering | $ 1,423.30 | ||
| Construction: | |||
| Common Excavation, 11,397 cu. yds. @ .40 | $ 4,558.80 | ||
| Intermediate Excavation, 6,017.4 cu. yds. @ .70 | 4,212.18 | ||
| Solid Rock Excavation, 2,816.5 cu. yds. @ 1.35 | 3,802.27 | ||
| 12-inch Corr. Iron Pipe, 682 Lin. ft. @ .40 | 272.80 | ||
| 24-inch Corr. Iron Pipe, 40 Lin. ft. @ 1.00 | 40.00 | ||
| Rubble Masonry, 22.3 cu. yds @ 10.00 | 223.00 | ||
| 13,109.05 | |||
| $ 14,532.35 | |||