Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1905-02-10
GRANTS PASS-WALD0 ROAD
Miners Association Propose TO
Put on an Oil Finish.

tion has under consideration a plan
for the improvement of the Grants
Pass and Waldo road to make It ps s.
able for loaded teams ~ months in
the year instead Of not over ak
months. as is now the case when the
annual mud blockade precludes all
heavy traffic during the winter and
spring months. The oiled roads hav-
ing proven such success in Calitor-
MIA, both as TO cheapness Of construc-
tion, durability and hard, smooth sur
face, strength to withstand heavy
traffic, it is proposed to use oil in
stead Of crushed rock for surfacing
this road
The plan Of Improvement IS first TO
have the road on the best grade pos
sible, relocating such sections
that could be put on less grade,
then blow out the stumps and remove
all other distractions and grade tie
roadbed to tho proper crown and
width. As graded each layer Of earth
to be thoroughly rolled with power.
ful steam road roller, that would so
pack the ground that it would not
settle and cause mud holes nor rut by
the weight Of heavy vehicles The
right-of-way to be thoroughly drained
and the roadbed, where necessary, TO
be tiled. The finished road to be
heavily coated with oil and then
when dry given another squeeze with
the steam roller. II r. expected that
such road would stand winter
traffic az we'll as n maoadamized road
and be much less expensive to build.
TO raise the funds for the improve
ment Of this road it is proposed to
ask contributions from every land,
mine, and timber owner along tho line
of the road, who would be benefited
by the building of this road. The
business men Of Grants Pass will be
called on for contributions and the
town aud the county will each bel
asked to make q liberal appropriation
for the road fund The Southern
Pacific Will be- asked TO help on the
road by delivering the oil free Of
charge in Grants Pass from the oil
wells in California, the purchase of
the oil to bo made out of the road
fund.
TO put this 40 miles of road from
Grants Pas to the Takilma copper
smelter in condition that loaded
teams can use it at all seasons of the
year is an undertaking of considerable
magnitude and will require a large
sum of money, but the benefits TO be
had from it will make 1t one Of the
most profitable public improvements
that could be undertakon in Southern
Oregon. In fact thero is no district
in Oregon where the building uf q
modern wagon road would develop
the traffic tonnage equal 10 that tc be
had from this district II is state
meut that can not ba gainsaid that |
with a good wagon road outlet to the |
central and southern sections Of Jose.
phiuo county for the full ~ months Of |
each year to Grants Pass that the |
volume Of business handled by this
city wouH be doubled by the close of |
the second year. whiio the Grants /
Pass freight traffic of tho Southern I
Pacific would in the samc time be-
more tina treblod Every resident Of
Grants Pass would be- bonudtod by
the building of this wagon road and
tho increase to business and the gain 1
In property valuations within five /
years from its completion would
pay back To- the citizyns every dollar
they put IN 1t and with big interest
The territory 20 which tins turnpike
road would afford am outlet is larger
.hOn most Eastern counties. for
with the branch roads that would
lo connected with IT, it would covu
d district fully 80 miles long aud 800
miles widc. Within this district
lies one OF the best hay, grain, dairy,
.tock and fruit sections of southern
Oregon, now practically uudoyolopod
.nd which woud support "a largo popu.
alton and become % trade and mN-
"ymg district of large import.