A survey was made in April, 1918, for the Columbia River Highway between
Seufert and the Deschutes River, along the river for the purpose of
comparison with a previous survey over the hill, conforming closely to
the present road.
This route, which was subsequently adopted, has a summit of 210 feet
against 780 feet on the hill route, and a length of 12.8 miles, a saving
of 2.7 miles in distance. Between The Dalles and Seufert about two miles
was graded to standard width and grade in 1917. The proposed route
follows close to the railroad, which is crossed near Big Eddy on a
proposed overhead bridge and utilizes the old State Portage Railroad
roadbed, as well as the already graded bank of the Government canal.
Near Celilo, another overhead crossing of the O.-W. R. R. & N. Co.
tracks is proposed, and from this point to the Deschutes River the
highway is located between the Oregon Trunk Railroad and the O.-W. R. R.
& N. Co., using about two miles of abandoned railroad roadbed.
This improvement requires only very light construction, except for short
distances, and it is believed it can be kept free from drifting blow
sand by the use of sand fences, as the Portage Railroad is used where
the sand is the worst, and this was kept open with very little
maintenance. With a smooth roadbed, and with nothing to cause drifting,
it is thought that the maintenance on this account will be negligible.
The route is attractive, as it makes available at close range the Locks
at Big Eddy, the Celilo Canal, and the magnificent Celilo Falls. The
estimated cost of this project is $142,500.00. It is proposed to include
this project in the 1919 program.
Deschutes River Bridge.
Among the bridges expected to be built in the near future is the
proposed reinforced concrete arch bridge over the Deschutes river at
Miller, about a mile above the river's mouth. This will be a State and
Inter-county structure, and will connect Sherman and Gilliam Counties on
the Columbia River Highway, and will be located a few hundred feet below
the present old wooden toll bridge which it will replace.
The design, which is practically completed, contemplates seven arch
spans aggregating 580 feet in length with a filled approach at either
end. The estimated cost of the bridge is $75,000.00.