Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1921-12-14

YARNELL QUICKEST, MOST
ECONOMICAL ROUTE SOUTH;
BOND PROGRAM UNDER WAY

The best and only feasible route
from Prescott to Phoenix or Cali
fornia is by way OF Hassayampa,
Yarncll and Congress Junction. This
IS the mature conviction OF the
county highway commission, express
ed in a statement to the highway
committee of the chamber OF COM
merce, and presented at the annual
meeting OF that organization here
last night by Robert F. Tally, chair
man OF the committee.
Feasibility of grades OF per cent
or less, a crossing OF the divide,
five miles out of Prescott at an ele-
walton OF 5,975 feet, about 1000 feet
lower than the corresponding spass
on the Copper Basin road, and ac-
cess to surfacing material along the
entire route, are construction points
cited By the commission in favor of
the Yarbell road, following a survey
by the commissions engineers.
MARICOPA END
The distance over the road would
be 100 miles, one mile shorter than
the Black Canyon road from Pres
colt to Phoenix Assurance that
Maricopa win build first-class road
to Wickenburg, and the point that
in Yavapai's view the Yarnell route
would be an all-year-round road to
California, are cited in favor OF this
project
a scenic route through the pines
and along the Hassayampa river, the
Yarnel1 road would tap agricultural
producing centers at Walnut Grove,
Wagner and Peoples Valley, and
would be 20 miles shorter than the
Iron Springs road. It also runs
through a 1nineralized district lis en-
tire length.
COST IS LOW
The cost OF construction of this
route, the commission estimates at
S43O,0O0, while It would require near
1y twice that amount, or S728,000, to
construct the Black Canyon road ac-
cording to federal aid requirements
A plan of cooperation with the
federal government whereby funds
may be secured for construction OF
the Yarnell road has met with the
approval of the state engineer, the
commission report states. The re-
port mentions that the people OF
Prescott are the ones most benefited
by the road, and should give the
project their support.
HOLD TO PROGRAM
Construction OF the Yarnell route
would not interfere with the carrying
out OF the highway program as voted
in the bond election. The commits
sion, says the statement, intends to
construct all other roads voted and
to use in their construction the
money appropriated by the previous
highway commission.
In carrying on this work, maps
and specifications will be completed
before bids for construction work
are advertised. Classification of
work by engineers is being done be-
fore. not after. the roads are built
Realizing, the report continues, the
desire of the people to see dirt fly
on highway construction in the
county, work is being pushed as
rapidly as is consistent with lasting
results. The Sedona road will be
completed about February /, con-
struction for the past 80 days having
consisted mostly of surfacing.
ROAD PROGRESS
Work. accomplished recently and
outlined in the statement includes
completion by the state highway de
partment under contract of seven
miles on the Ash Fork-Nelson route
with the exception of surfacing in
places. Utilization of the state crew
already in that district, and $50,00C
worth of state equipment, consid-
cradle money has been saved the
county by letting the work to the
state.
Six survey parties are in the field
in preparation for having all road
construction that can be worked or
during the winter months, under way
by the first OF January. Preparations
are being made to issue calls fol
bids on section of the Cottonwood
Camp Verde road, from Cottonwood