The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-22
THE wILLAPA VALLEY LINE.


Work Progressing Rapidly ON tho Rail-
road from Chehalis to south Bend.
CHEHALIs, Feb. 20-[Special Work on
the Yakima d Pacific Coast railroad is
progressing as fast as men and money can
push it, The line of road which is to
connect with the Northern Pacific at this
city and to terminate at South Bend, in
Pacific county, will be fifty-six miles in
length and will run through fine timber
and agricultural region. The railroad will
traverse the western part of Lewis county,
which is as yet sparsely populated, but will
be rapidly settled up as soon as the rail-
road is completed.
The Coast range, through which the road
will pass for a distance of seven or eight
miles, contains some of the finest timber to
be found in this section of the state From
the mountains to tidewater at South Bend.
the Willapa river valley, which in time
will surpass even the famous valley of the
Puyallup; in fact, it very nearly ranks
with that valley now, being largely in q
good state Of cultivation and dotted with
many fine farms.
The force of graders on the line of the
road has reached point about nine
miles from the city. westward. From
South Bend eastward, eight miles of
roadbed have been graded and thirty-nine
miles of the line still remains to be graded
Three and one-half miles of track have been
laid from the Chehalis Junction to the first
crossing of the Chehalis river. This COM
pleted portion has not yet been ballasted,
but construction trains are passing over it
daily, conveying large quantities Of bridge
tlmbers, piles and iron to the front.
AT the first crossing of the Chehalis a
Howe truss bridge of two spans. each $50
feet in length, will be erected. The abut-
ments and the pier in the center of the
stream will be of piles. which, in the esti-
support, as the river is always free of ice
in winter, and the current is moderate.
The bridge will be completed about
March 20.
The Typographical features of the coun-
try through which the road passes is of
such nature that no steep grades are en-:
countered. The heaviest grade is in the
about eighty-fve feet to the mile. A series
OF bridges will have to be constructed
along the line, as there will be five cross
ings OF the Chehalis river, the last being
near the mouth of Rock creek. in this
county, and five crossings of the Willapa
river III Pacific county. AT the last one of
those on the north branch of the WiIlapa
there will be drawbridge, as the stream is
navigable
1t is the intention of the company to
push construction of the road from the
eastern end only, and as fast as possible
the material will be sent forward. The
completion of the bridge at the first cross
ing OF the Chehalis will greatly facilitate
work. Barring unforeseen difficulties.
trains will be running from Chehalis to
South Bend by the 1st of next October.
The road will undoubtedly do good bust
ness from the time its operation begins, as
there will be shipments of many products
OF the farming districts in western Lewis
and eastern Pacific counties. which have
heretofore not been able to find an outlet
to market. owing to lack of expeditions
transportation.
W. c.. Marion, assistant engineer in
charge of the road, and Mr. Kelso, of the
contracting hrm Of Webster. Kelso a. Dare,
left for South Bend on Tuesday last. for
the purpose of inspecting the finished
grading of the eight miles of roadway
from that city eastward.