East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-10-10
HIGHWAY MAY OBTAIN
ABANDONED R. R. GRADE
IN DESCHUTES CANYON
Two Lines Built in Rivalry May
Consolidate Leaving Grade
Available for Road From Ma
dras to Columbia River.

PORTLAND. oct. 0.--Negitiations
are pending which may result in the
abandonment OF one OF the railroad
grades in the Deschutes canyon. II
this becomes n fact the abandoned
railroad grade will be available for use
by the state highway commission for
The California highway from
adras 10 the Columbia River, n dis
tance Of about 1i0 miles.
An lntlmation that there is such a
possibility was hinted at by members
of the comm ssion during their ses-
sion this week. The commissioners
admitted that "everything is in the
air. and nothing may come of it," but
that II is possible.
This Is the reason why the commits
sion has decided to call for BIDS for
grading and graveling The Dalles-
California highway from Madras to
the Deschutes county line, and why
the commission informed the Jeffer-
son county court that 1--WE will wait
a while on the section north of Mad
ras, as you may have a new highway
to the ocean"
Two Roads Not Needed.
The Oregon Trunk line. built by
Hill. cost approx mately $4,000 600
and the O-W. r. & r. line up the
canyon cost approximately $6,000.ooO
For some time there has been talk
going on between the two railroads
about abandoning one of the lines.
There is no need for two railroads up
the Deschutes canyon into central
Oregon. Both were built during a
fight between Hill and Hartman, the
latter not being anxious to biuld his
lire untl Hill favored the territory.
II is understood that the. oregon
Trunk wants the O.-W. r. & N. to-
nay part Of the cost of building the
Oregon Trunk up the canyon. The
o-W. r.. & y. is said to be Willing
to pay a percentage. but refuses TO
pay so per cent OF the SIS 100000. A
part of the Oregon Trunk
expense is represented by the steel
bridge across the Columbia river at
Fallbridge
Immense Saving Possible
If the railroad companies can get
together there will be need for only
one Of the railroad grades, and the
me which is abandoned can be con-
rerted by the state highway commits
sion into a splendid highway. The
distance from Madras to the Columbia
liver is about ITO miles. The Dalles-
California highway must get down to
the Columbia highway somewhere. II
me OF the railroad grades can be
placed at the service of the highway
a fortune will be saved. |
COR the grade could not be duplicated
n the canyon for a million dollars.
The maximum grade on state high
ways is 5 per cent. The maximum
yrade on the oregon Trunk and the |
O.-W. II. e. n. is / and a fraction per
cent. the climb up the canyon being !
such that an automobile could travel /
On high from the Columbia highway /
TO the town Of Madras.
Bridges Already In
Once the ties and rails are removed |
'ery little work would be required to /
out the roadbed in condition for high |
way traffic. The roadbeds are about /
Is feet in width and might require a /
little widening or some additional dit
hing. but the cost would be ins gni-
ricant compared with the establish
nent of such a grade. The most sub
;tantial bridges are already in.
That the railroads would consent
o turn over the abandoned riSht-of-
way to the state highway commits
lion is a natural conclusion. for the
I'D rcad would he worthless other
wise. Ii is possible, however. that
he railroad might ask compensation
within reason for the right -of-way.
n any event If the roadbed is aban-
loned the commission can go into
,urt with condemnation proceedings.