The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1915-01-07
GRANDEUR OF SCENIC
HIGHWAY DESCRIBED
(By S. Benson, in the oregonian)

The construction Of the Columbia
highway is simply capitalizing ansasset
that nature has so generously placed at
the disposal of the people Of this IA
vored region. The completion of this
artery Of commerce is the realization
Of a dream and hope that the people Of
Oregon and of Portland particularly
would see accomplished-th important
task Of sffording means of cOmmunica-
tion with a great and growing popula-
tion who we're practically isolated.
So striking are several features of
the Columbislhighway that the achieve
ment stands out as one o. the worlds
greatest strides in modern road build
ing and one of the most successful
feats Of winding course through
realm Of natrual magnificent beauty.
To an engineer the practical side of the
highway is a marvel. exciting just as
much wonderment in the expert as the
beauteOus side awakens in the lowliest
traveller.
Figures are always first in the atten-
tion of builder. Cost of the Columbia
highway not only compares favorably
with any gigantic work of the kind,
but shines as great economic example
when the movement of a tremendous
quantity of earth is considered. From
the outset the Columbia highway was
built on business principles. Ii is one
thoroughfare the world over that has
not been hampered by political inter-
ference. Figures mark every step in
the progress of the Columbia highway
.,1 90 dol 80 81 koa
been kept of every yard of dirt removed
in the building of the enterprises
public improvement of great magnitude
that invites comparison.
Another appealing feature of the
Columbia highway especially of inter
est to the engineer or builder is the
perfect drainage system of the boule-
ward which makes it an all-year-round
pleasure. Its scientific lines block halt
ing of traffic by the elements. No
matter how strong the flow of water
accompanying rain or snow, the cul-
verts are ample to drain the highway,
which may be traversed under mini.
mum inconvenience in the dead of win
ter. In this particular, as in others,
the Columbia highway is a model after
which the world may pattern.
So much has been written of the un-
rivaled scenic aspect of the thorough
fare that its commercial Importance
has been overlooked. True, the match
less beauty of every view. the majesty
of the Columbia river winding between
gigantic cliffs, the foliage, the water
fails, the gorges. the great trees, all
70 hn NNIt kfuh
way unequaled in the world of scenic
grandeur. Southern California boasts
and justly So of its magnificent
roadways. AS an inducement to visit
ors great stress is laid upon the neigh
bor states roads, yet there is not
stretch of highway anywhere there
that will equal the Columbia, and as
means to induce visitors to remain in
Portland at least a day longer this
highway will prove the best paying in
vestment ever made in Oregon.
In the construction of the road fully
80 per cent was for labor material
barely covering 10 per cent of the total
cost. Therefore its cost speedily found
its way back into the avenues of trade
and furnished employment to many who
would otherwise have been in the ranks
of the idle. From any angle. the Co
lumbia highway is model. Every
piece of work was done with view to
permanency. All bridges are of con-
crete, the culverts are of rock with
concrete bottoms and all retaining
walls are built to withstand any pres
sure.
The grades - no grade being more
than per cent-were established by
engineers who had made road building
a study. The unanimity of expressions
of commendation of those who went
over the highway was source of
qualification to all who were concerned
in the great enterprise.
Interest in good roads is growing
fast, as evidenced IN the Importance
attached to this form of development.
1t is only necessary to cite that the
several states in 1914 appropriated
nearly SAB, 900, 600. or an increase of
more than 81, 600, 900 over 1918 and
$l2, 0O0,000 over 1912. The mileage of
roads built to the close of 1913 aggre.
gated nearly q 900 miles, or only 2000
miles less than the famous national
road system of France. There are now
but nine states that set aside no state
funds for road building and there are
only seven states that have no state
highway law. The total expenditure
for road building during 1913 was
$20G, 900, 600.
Adjacent to the Columbia highway
that will be ready for use next sum
mer is an extensive farming and dairy
ing community, to say nothing of the
residents of the numerous towns that
are wholly dependent upon either the
river or rail for communication with
Portland. Necessarily, it was ony at
intervals that they were able to reach
the city. Now there is nothing to pre-
vent them from coming or going at any
time.