The highway problem of Umatilla County is of greater magnitude than it
would seem to be at first consideration. The fact that the County is
well supplied with rail transportation only renders the demand for
highways more urgent. Soil conditions are generally unfavorable for good
natural roads although gravel deposits suitable for highway construction
are found in most localities.
The County has made constant efforts towards an improved system of
roads, but with 3,000 miles of county roads to care for and with
considerable bridge work in the program, the available funds are found
to be entirely inadequate. The main roads or trunk highways through the
County have had the benefit of a large percentage of local funds but
owing to a large mileage and character of improvement necessary, there
remains a great deal yet to be done.
When the State of Oregon voted to expend $6,000,000.00 in surfacing
roads constructed by the counties, Umatilla County was among the first
to take advantage of the State aid. The State Highway Commission
extended additional aid through the Post Road Fund, but these plans were
later cancelled owing to requirements of the U. S. Office of Public
Roads.
The State Highway Department has surveyed the Old Oregon Trail for the
entire distance across the County and 42.2 miles of the
Oregon-Washington Highway have been surveyed. In addition a considerable
mileage of reconnaissance surveys have been made preliminary to definite
location.
In 1917 and 1918 the State Highway Department expended $162,625.56 in
constructing eleven miles of pavement near Pendleton. The cost of
maintenance on this road has been divided equally between the State and
County.
Funds were set aside by the State Highway Commission in 1917 to
macadamize the 40 mile section of Old Oregon Trail from Pendleton west
to the Morrow County line. War conditions caused a postponement of this
improvement. The funds are still intact and work will proceed as soon as
conditions will permit. Following are statements showing amounts of
State funds expended in Umatilla County and funds appropriated to be
expended in 1919.
Expended in 1917 and 1918 for paving on Wild Horse Road and
Pendleton-Reith Section $162,626.56
Appropriated to be expended in 1919 on macadamizing Old
Oregon Trail from Pendleton to Morrow County line near
Umatilla 180,000.00