The copper era and Morenci leader., 1914-02-27
MODERN HIGHWAY [INTO M0RENC|
 |S PLAN
Administrators of -County's Roads Tanning for Extension of Clifton Morenci Lately Constructed Highway into Plaza of Morenci -Morenci at Last to Have Actual Streets-Changes
 Made in Plans of State
 Highway.

Highway.
 Plans are now making among the administrators of the county's roads for the early completion; from the high divide between Clifton and Mo .renci, to the main plaza of the latter town, of the recently completed highway beginning at Chase Creek in Clifton and extending to the divide from which the extension to be built will begin.
 Arrangements are now being made for the surveying of the proposed ex- tension, which will be about three miles in length, and which probably will follow the walls of the canyon at the bottom of which the road now in use follows. Expectations are that this road will be so routed that the entrance into Morenci will be at the bottom of the canyon along both sides of which are the reduction works of the copper companies.
 In line with tentative arrangements for the building of this three miles of highway, plans for which include an even better class of construction than was followed in the building of the distance now completed, Supervis- or Hampton and County Engineer Tunis lately visited at Morenci, there to consult with the officials of the Detroit Copper company in regard to the route of the proposed road in those portions which are. through the property of the company. The Con- pany generously offered to donate to the county free of all cost the right of way for the entire distance of the proposed route as it follows the af- fected sections of Norenci. In addf- tion to. this, the officials of the con- pany indicated that probabilities were that the right of way, to be abandon ed, of the oMrenci Southern railway would also be given to the county, this to be for a distance of several hundred yards, making the gift of great advantage to the county, as the nature of the country through which the proposed route will follow is such that great construction outlay would thus be obviated. Because of exten- :sive changes to be made in the route of the oMrenci Southern, this in- cluding what is known as switch backs, a considerable distance of right of way will be abandoned.
 In all probability, the three miles of highway will be built beginning in the coming June. Engineer Tun1s reports to the Supervisors that he will Drobably finish the work of survey ing by May 1, thus making probable the calling for bids by the superV1s- ors at their May session, and the beginning of actual building by the contractor early in June. It is esti- mated that work of the entire three miles will require about six months, thus placing the completion at or near the first of the year 1915.
 The construction of the portion of the road which follows along the canyon on the sides of which are located the reduction works of the copper companies will probably be costly in construction, the narrowness tity of water which in ra1nstorms drains along the canyon, making necessary the building of unusual forms of road construction. A con crete Hume directly in the bottom of the canyon will probably be neces- sary, and directly adjacent to the Hume will be built raised embank- ment which will serve to secure the roadbed from the effects of the floods caused by rainstorms.
 On Thursday of this week Engineer Tunis, acting upon the suggestions of Supervisor Hampton, and Campbell made, with his assistants prel1m- mary survey of the proposed street, this survey extending over the entire distance as above outlined, beginning at the main Morenci plaza, and con- tinuing to the hospital of the Arizona Copper company. The total distance surveyed is about two thousand feet. From these preliminary surveys, the engineer. says that the average grade of the street will be not more than seven and one-half per cent. The proposed width of the street will be sixteen feet. Along the lower side of the street, the side facing the canyons, retaining walls will be built |to protect the embankment. Tunis has made to the Board his report Of conditions concerned with the con- |tempIated construction, and the Board Twill consider the matter at it's meet ing next Monday, March 2.