The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-01-09
Why Delay Construction
Of Froman Ferry Bridge

| The regular session OF the 1917 leg
islature passed bridge bill providing
for five wagon bridges across Snake
river between Ada and Owyhee and
demand and agitation for bridges for
between Canyon and Owyhee coun-
ties. This was passed owing to the
several years previous. One at Home
dale, one at or near Froman Ferry.
one at or near Walters Ferry, one at
the Grand View Ferry and one at or
near McKeith's Ferry in Grand View
valley. A combination bridge bill
presented to the 1917 session Of the
legislature for the benefit of an in
terurban railroad near Nampa Ferry
was smothered in the legislature by
people interested in the ve-bridge
bill.
The 1918 session passed a bill pre-
viding for a bridge at Homedale. Gov
ernor Haines vetoed this bill; there
was fight between Froman Ferry
community and Homedale.
The 1915 session passed bill pro-
viding Homedale with a bridge: this
was vetoed by Governor Alexander:
there was still clash between Fro
man Ferry community and Homedale
Two communities in the Grand
View valley and Walters Ferry COM
munity, with Nampa asking for a
bridge at Walters Ferry. had now
Joined the agitation for the need of
bridges in caring for the travelling
public crossing the Snake river at
these points.
In 1915. when Nampa was approach
ed BY representatives from the Gem
district interested in the Froman
Ferry bridge. Nampa stated she was
not interested in bridge in that COM
munity and would only give her moral
support as she was interested in a
bridge at Walters Ferry
The legislature had now provided
about $4,000 for each of these five
bridges Following this, Gem high
way district. through a bond election,
provided $4,000 for roads and a
bridge 1T or near Froman Ferry, Can
yon county then provided, through a
bond election her portion of the cost
of bridges at Homedalc. at or near
Froman Ferry and at or near Walters
Ferry.
Estimates were made bv the state
highway commission on three bridge
SITES one at Froman Ferry at cos,
of about $4,000. one at a point abou,
one-half way between Froman and
Nampa Ferries at cost of $55,OOO
where excellent railroad facilities are
available with practically no added
expense The North and South rail
road surveyed out of Nampa crossed
at this point and obtained rights TO,
railroad facilities at this point: an
other estimate was made at site a.
i, Pickle Butte near Nampa Ferry at {
cost of $500.
Taxpayers interested in the Fromar
e Ferry wagon bridge appeared befor'
, the state highway commission ant
they passed the matter over to tn
commissioner Of public works.
The commissioner of public works
y in selecting a site for the Froma,
Ferry wagon bridge. selected site a
Pickle Butte near Nampa Ferry. H
first caused meeting to be held a
Il Pickle Butte. Nampa closed her busi
: ness houses and appeared on the seen
several hundred strong, also other
= appeared who were interested in
e bridge near Nampa Ferry. as well a
n Froman Ferry representatives. 1t wa
r stated that of all those at this meet
ing only IA opposed the bridge a
'1'kle Duttc.
d How about the petition handed I
|: the commissioner of public works b
= representative from the Gem dis
trict with large number Of signer
{ asking for a bridge near Froma
y Ferry. There was also petition file
in the highway commissioners offic
Slope asking for a bridge near Fro
o~1 thoen ootsfs0
in the same office from Huston sigr
Deer Flat community asking for
II bridge at Froman Ferry.
There is now a gravelled road fro,
Caldwell and a road from Naml
leading to Froman Ferry. This pre-
vdes the best grades for the peop
S of Nampa. Caldwell, Gem district ar
Jordan Valley crossing the Snal
,e river in this vicinity. the highe
grade being per cent for short di
e lance, while the grades from Pick
Il Butte to these points runs from to
n per cent.
The estimate now made by the con
missioner of public works by Il
Pickle Butte 'site is about $751;. 78
in Federal aid has not been provided f.
x this bridge.
D The legislature has provided tn
> two-thirds of the cost of each Bird,
must be raised from other sources b
IN fore any part of the state money
~ available for the construction of sa
- bridge Money is now available for
bridge at Froman Ferry Why I'll
he delay? Taxpayers interested in t
RS Froman Ferry wagon bridge ma
-, raised funds for the purpose of pr
j" venting the money that has been pr
vided for the Froman Ferry wag'
p bridge from being used for other. PIT
ad poses.-Adv pd.