One of the first paving projects to come up for consideration by the
State Highway Commission was that of the Pacific Highway between Salem
and Aurora in Marion County. Upon investigating this project, it was
found that rural mail was carried over practically the entire distance
between Salem and Aurora. This fact made the improvement of this road
subject to Federal Aid, and as very few sections of State Roads west of
the Cascade Mountains will qualify for Federal Aid, it was considered
advisable to use some of the Federal money available to the State in the
improvement of this section.
With a view to securing the approval of this project by the Federal
Office of Public Roads, and to undertaking the construction during the
1918 season, the necessary surveys were made in January and February,
1918, and the plans submitted to the Office of Public Roads in March,
1918. The final approvement by the Government was received June 15,
1918, and on June 25 proposals for the construction were received and
opened. The lowest bid received was from Warren Construction Company,
Portland, Oregon, but as it was in excess of the State Highway
Engineer's estimate, and in excess of the available funds, all bids were
rejected.
[Illustration: INTERCOUNTY BRIDGE OVER THE WILLAMETTE AT SALEM. BUILT BY
MARION AND POLK COUNTIES IN 1917 AND 1918. COST $250,000.00. TOTAL
LENGTH 2,220 FEET.]
The work would have then been started by the Highway Department with
State forces, but it was just at this time that the shortage of labor,
materials, transportation facilities, etc., became serious, and the
Federal Government called for curtailment of road construction, and the
Highway Commission was forced to order the discontinuance of preparation
for this paving, as well as for all other proposed work in the State.
Now, that Peace is in sight, there is every reason to believe that the
Highway Commission will order that construction begin on the
Salem-Aurora Paving at the very earliest date, and its completion may be
looked for during the 1919 season.
This paving is to be sixteen feet wide with a two-foot rock shoulder on
each side. The type will depend upon the bids received. The paving will
start about four miles north of the city limits of Salem and extend to
the Marion-Clackamas County Line, just north of Aurora, the total length
being eighteen miles. It is estimated that this work will cost
$360,000.00.