The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-10-14
RIVER GRADE PROBLEM
Iowa State Highway Commission
Gives Its Opinion.

. The following letter from the Iowa
State Highway Commission, relative
to proposed river Improvements has
been received from the Ames office
by the Mahaska County Board of
Supervisory:
GentIemen:---We are in receipt. of
q map showing the location of the
South Skunk Riyer-Glendale road, !
Section 80, Aadms Township, Mahas-
ka County, dated September, 1915,
and of a profile and plan of the Mon
tezuma road, Section B, Section 80,
Township 70, Range Is, Adams
Township, both from your county en-.
gineer. We are also in receipt of
an accompanying report from the
county engineer dated September 81
1915, and have also received a report
from our district engineer, Mr.. J. S.
Morrison, who worked with your en-
GINGER from September q to Septem.
Der &c In preparation of the plans for
the road improvement.
Pc. We, understand from the report OF
Mr.. Morrison that the following plans
for making this road Improvement
have been considered, and the cost
estimated:
Plan No. 1, When the new chan
mel has been constructed In this vi
cinity for the South Skunk River
build an embankment above the then
I high, water line on a straight line
across the river bridge! The cost OF
building. this embankment and con-
structing thereon a standard double
track gravel road is estimated At
t$8,510,Qp. s,-,.., ~
plan. No. 2. To pave the present
road with, brick without bringing It
above the high water mark. Esti-
mated cost $4,000.
Plan No. 8. Pave the present road
/ with concrete without bringing II
above. the high water mark. Esti-
mated cost. 100000.
., In connection with Plan No. 3, 1t
may be said that the section of con.
crete road estimated was too thin.
With a standard section of concrete
road the estimated cost, would prob
ably be $500 w ...> 80.
For all plans a new channel con-
Istrliction for the Skunk River is pro-
posed within, a few years, to be put
Through by means Of a drainage dis
trict, and the plans show. that the
location for this new channel at the
site in question will carry 1t through
the present bridge so that 1t Will not
disturb the proposed road.
Plans Nos. 2 and 3, however, do not
contemplate bringing the road above
the highest water mark which is pro
fVided for in plan number l.
- To- UNN1 M q
and by Mr. Morrison, that you de-
sire to proceed this fall with two
items of work as follows: s--
First: Construct a channel change
Iof the Skunk River channel immedi-
ately west OF the, present bridge SO
as to prevent encroachment. of the
river upon. the present road, at an
estimated cost Of $4,000. ApproVal
Of the Commission is heartily given
to Improvement, and you are author
lied to proceed Immediately.
Second: To proceed with repairs
on the present road, consisting Of the
} addition of crushed rock to 1t so as
Ito bring It to a regular cross section
and grade line at an estimated cost
OF $2,40U.90. The Commission is
willing to approve this repair work,
provided that it is considered as
probably all that will be needed or
done to this road until the new drain
age channel is constructed for the
Skunk river at this point.
We are not willing to approve It
merely as a repair. work to last only
year, for it is too expensive in
character for such temporary work.
We are not willing to approve II
merely as sub-grade work for pave
intent to be built next year without
: further raising the road at this point,
for this would not, as we understand
lit, bring the road permanently above
the final high water mark If the
drainage Improvement Is constructed
We are very favorably impressed
with Plan No. 1, which would give a
I perfectly straight road across the
bottom; entirely above the high wat
' err mark, at cost which will appar'
. emily be no greater than that of a
9 crooked winding road, not perma.
g nently above high water mark, built
J. in accordance with either plans two
or three. 80 '--'' -
;, we ask for information from you
as to your intention for work after
, this year, and suggest that the re
! pairs be made according to the plans
as proposed, coupled with the post
0 ponement of, further work until the
e drainage Improvement is constructed
If this meets with your approval we
e can approve the plans at once.
Very truly yours,
s IOWA HIGHWAY COMMISSION.
BY A. Marston,. Commissioner.