THE JOHN DAY RIVER HIGHWAY SOUTH OF CONDON IN GILLIAM COUNTY
MACADAMIZED IN 1917
The people of Gilliam County have long realized the value of good roads. Although continuous effort has been put forth, expensive construction and limited funds have resulted in only a beginning. County authorities have always shown a keen interest in the plans for state co-operation, regardless of whether Gilliam County was to be benefitted directly or whether improvements were to be made in the neighboring counties.
The State Highway Commission has always recognized the urgency of building the Columbia River Highway, and in addition has from the beginning realized the necessity of an improved road leading inland from Condon.
During 1918 the State Highway Commission made a location survey of the Columbia River Highway between John Day River and Arlington, and a reconnaissance survey has been made from Arlington east to the Morrow County Line.
Since August 1917 the State Highway Commission has expended $28,673.43 for macadamizing the John Day Highway between Condon and Thirty Mile Creek. In addition $9,000.00 of State funds has been set aside for maintaining and resurfacing this section during the coming winter.
Gilliam County Court and the road district in the north end of the County through heroic efforts have raised $60,000.00 for grading the Columbia River Highway between Arlington and Blalock, a distance of eight and sixty-eight one-hundredths miles. This work is to be started at once and rushed during the winter season. The State Highway Department will supply engineering supervision.
Condon-Thirty Mile Creek—Macadam
In August 1917 a contract was let by the State Highway Department to Warren Construction Company of Portland for macadamizing a five and seven-tenths mile section of the John Day Highway between Condon and Thirty Mile Creek. The contractor was paid on the basis of cost plus ten per cent for labor and plus five per cent for materials.
Rock was quarried and crushed at two different points on the job and trucks and teams were used for hauling. The old road was scarified and re-dressed prior to laying the macadam. A dry macadam six inches thick was laid over the five and seven-tenths miles. The average width of the surface is about fourteen feet.