Malheur County is an important highway center. It is most favorably
situated with respects to highways in Eastern Oregon, in that it serves
as a common junction point for the Old Oregon Trail, John Day Highway
and Central Oregon Highway. A fourth highway will enter the County from
Nevada leading from Winnemucca north through Jordan Valley.
Malheur County is fairly well equipped for road work and has already
made a most creditable showing. All the people are good roads boosters,
having learned the value and necessity of improved roads. This was
proven by their voting a $20,000.00 bond issue at the recent election.
The purpose of this fund is to meet the State and Federal appropriation
of $80,000.00.
In area, Malheur County is an empire in itself. The natural result is an
extra large mileage of roads, and many of them run through mountainous
districts. To improve only the main highways in Malheur County is a huge
undertaking.
The State Highway Commission fully realizes the inability of most of the
counties in Eastern Oregon to cope with the situation and has determined
to extend aid in every manner possible. That State aid may be
substantial and a benefit to all the counties, the Commission is making
an urgent call for more State funds.
In Malheur County near Brogan a 9.85 mile section of the John Day
Highway has been surveyed by the State Highway Department. The
Commission has set aside $20,000.00 for the construction of this road
and an equal amount is requested from the Government. The County has
appropriated $13,958.00 for the purpose of co-operating in this
construction.
State funds to the amount of $20,000.00 have been set aside for the
improvement of a 6.76 mile section of the Central Oregon Highway. This
section extends from Vale 6.76 miles west to Burrell's Ranch. The
Government is requested to share in the cost in amount equal to the sum
given by the State. The County's share in this project will be
$14,420.00.
The following statement shows the amounts appropriated for expenditure
in 1919:
State County Government
Section Funds Funds Funds Totals
Cow Valley-Brogan $20,000.00 $13,958.00 $20,000.00 $53,958.00
Section
Burrell-Vale Section 20,000.00 14,420.00 20,000.00 54,420.00
Both of the above mentioned sections are Post Road Projects.
Negotiations with the U. S. Public Roads Office are under way for the
grading of the Cow Valley-Brogan Road, and the Burrell-Vale Project
will be submitted within a short time. It is hoped construction will
begin early in 1919.