Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-08-07
Name of Electric Line
To Illinois Valley.
THE SURVEY PROGRESSING
Contract Will Soon Be Let for
Saving Of Ties md
Other Timbers.

making the preliminary survey for the
new electric road from Grants Pass
into the Illinois Valley and who is
the prime mover in the enterprise,
was before the county commissioners
which was in regular session Wednes
day. with proposition relative to the
construction of the proposed new
wagon bridge across Rogue River
just below and parallel with the pres
ent bridge. In short Nc. Collins
suggested the economy and expediency
OF building a wooden bridge at this
time instead of steel bridge as here
tofore contemplated.
Mr.. Collins stated that wooden
bridge of ample capacity for wagons
and an electric car..line could be built
across the Rogue River at this point
and another across the Applegate for
two thirds of what one steel structure
could be built across the Rogue at this
point and that such q bridge would
last from Is to 20 years, while if
steel fridge were built now it might
be inadequate within five or six years
aud another would have to be built at
great cost Mr.. Collins further agreed
to do all the necessary engineering and
take charge of the construction work
free of cost to the county in the event
the county decided to accept his
plans and build the bridge with suffi-
cient capacity for his electric line.
The preliminary survey on the new
line has already progressed to point
byond wilderville and everything is
moving along smoothly. Owing to
lack of sufficient men in the field,
however, the work has been somewhat
slower than it otherwise would have
been. Mr.. Collins is expecting an
engineer from the east who can take
charge of the field work, thus allow
ing Mr.. Collins to do the work Of
chief engineer, such as figuring out
the cost of the various features Of con-
struction of the road, working out the
details of the line, designing the
b idzes and similar work. He is anxi.
ious that some amicable arrangement
BE- made with the county in the mat.
ter of the constructor of the new
bridge so that it will be finished in
time for him to lay the rails of his
road over it in the spring and thus
save a wagon haul of rails aud other
material for r-construction work.
The new road will be know as the
Rogue River & Oregon Southern Rail-
way. And while many of the malcon-
tents. and ne'er-doJwells ars scouting
the idea of the building and completion
of the road Mr. Collins smiles and keeps
busy with the preliminary work.
In a brief interview yesterday alter
noon he stated that he would soon be
ready to let contracts for the saving
of the ties and pcSing out other tim
ber which beAueed,d IN the con
struction that these could be
gotten out by b. local mills in the
county dur nR tue winter or rainy
season. This is a feature of interest
to local saw mill men as eres'
many ties and other timbrs will bs
needed when the real construction
work: begins on the road in th'
spriug
1t is to b. hoped that the bridge
now proposed scross Rogue River Al
the foot Of Sixth street TO replsc'
the present structure may be sfeedily
arranged for. According to Mr.. Col
lins' figurrs this bridge can be bull
at about half what steel structure
would cost and would answer ever'
purpose for the next 10 years Ii
view of the present financial condi
tion Of the countv treasury this is
matter worthy Of consideration, pro
vided Mr.. Collins type of bridge Il
,,aot;cahla