The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-01-30
THE BELT CREEK BRIDGE.
Figures and Facts Given by Well-posted
Correspondents Show That Change
Of Location is Not Advisable
BELT CREEK, CHoTEArr Go. M IT

BELT CREEK, CHOTEAU Co., M. IT.
January 10Th, 1884.
Editors River Pre- 8:
Since it has become matter of COM
mon report that the removal Of the Belt
creek bridge from it's present location
to a point about half mile east and
south on the same creek is under con-
sideration, we have taken the trouble to
make careful observations and measure
ments, Oh which are based the following
statements, which we think will be of
general interest to all, and of special in
terest to the taxpayers of Choteau county.
We therefore trust that you will give
them circulation through your paper
The removal Of the bridge involves
the construction Of an entirely new
route, which may be called the pro-
posed route" from Highwood creek,
l9 miles from Benton, to a point on Belt
creek, which may be designated as
Hackshaw's. Ii will be admitted that
change involving so much should have
very decided advantages, and but few
objections.
ACCESSIBILITY.
We find that the bridge in it's present
location directly accessible to travel over
all the roads that cross or seek to cross
Belt creek within five or six miles Of its
present location. The proposed site, by
reason of two broad and deep coulees, is
wholly inaccessible to travel and traffic
over the old Gallatin road-the road
used and approved by all the freighters
plying between Benton and Barker, Belt
creek Box Elder, Sand Coulee and Smith
river.
DISTANCE.
We find the proposed route not shorter
as generally supposed, but longer by
nearly onehalf % mile, the distance
from Hackshaw's to Highwood being
s. miles by the present route, and 8
miles by the proposed route.
ROAD BED.
That part Of the two routes lying west
and south of Belt creek demands most
careful attention. We find that the pro-
posed route for the distance of two and
one-half (29) miles 1880 feet) traverses
the very worst adobe plain in this Sec
ton of the country, and permits of no
course whatever for avoiding the same.
The present route only skirts the same
plain avoiding the worst part of it, and
the present location Of the bridge admits
also of using another route known as the
Ridge" by which the adobe is still
more completely avoided. These state
ments apply equally to Belt creek and
Sand Coulee travel.
GRADES.
The total length of grades that must
be traversed in entering and leaving
Belt creek and HighWood bottoms is
greater on the proposed route than on
the present route by more than quar-
ter ofa mile & s422 it, The most strik-
ing feature in this connection is the
enormous height to be reached, and the
terribly long and steady pull with num-
erous heavy grades in emerging from
Belt creek on the proposed route. From
VIC ioot lto tue SulHLlo 40 q uioIaHCC Va
1900 it,, or nearly one and one-half ~ |
miles, with three long heavy grades and |
less than SO rods of even approximately |
level road in the whole distance. Indeed |
it may be truthfully said that the pro-
posed route will afford no level road be-
tween Belt and Highwood after leaving |
the bottoms of either creek. 1t is all up |
nil to one creek, and then down hill to-
ward the other.
GRADES TO BE CONSTRUCTED.
The above facts bear upon the utility
OF the road when opened. The follow