Although the assessed valuation of Multnomah County is more than
thirty-five per cent of the total assessed valuation of the entire
State, this County has renounced all claim to any share of the State
Funds available for road purposes, and will construct and maintain in a
high state of improvement, at its own expense, all State Roads within
its boundaries. This liberal attitude of the people of Multnomah County
is to be commended, and it makes available for expenditure in counties
outside of Multnomah County, a much greater amount of money than would
otherwise be the case.
The roads of Multnomah County represent some of the heaviest grading
construction, some of the best improved and some of the most scenic
highways to be found anywhere in the world. The Upper Columbia River
Highway is by many considered the most scenic highway in the United
States, and attracts a multitude of tourists annually.
An interesting tabulation of the amounts expended by Multnomah County in
the construction of the Columbia River Highway, both above and below
Portland, is appended:
COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY, EAST 82D STREET VIA SANDY ROAD TO HOOD RIVER
COUNTY LINE
==============+=====+===========+===========+===========+=============
Section |Miles| Pavement | Grading | Bridges | Total
--------------+-----+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------------
Sandy Road to |10.29|$183,001.41|$ 5,000.00|$ 14,845.33|$ 202,846.74
Troutdale | | | | |
Sandy Cut-off | 2.47| 47,506.74| 94,389.04| ... | 141,895.78
to Auto Club| | | | |
Bridge | | | | |
Columbia River|26.68| 495,507.75| 601,012.13| 169,586.71| 1,266,106.59
Highway to | | | | |
County Line | | | | |
+-----+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------------
Totals |39.44|$726,015.90|$700,401.17|$184,432.04|$1,610,849.11
--------------+-----+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------------
Total Construction Cost $1,610,849.11
Engineering 72,004.95
-------------
Grand Total $1,682,854.06