Gilliam County presents an interesting situation from the viewpoint of
highways. Besides the Columbia River Highway the County is traversed by
the John Day Highway, one of the important routes of Eastern Oregon.
This large mileage of State highways along with the fact that there are
many large agricultural communities to be served, renders important and
necessary an extensive road building program.
[Illustration: 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.