The Coconino sun., 1923-02-23
ENGINEER is PLEASED
WITH OAK CREEK ROAD

On Wednesday a party of seven
men, consisting of W. w. Midgely of
the board of supervisors, j. NJ. Foster,
Jr., of Clemenceau, Lon Mason of
Cottonwood, j. NJ. Ellis of the Green
Monster, and R. Swart, A. ]. Clifford
and E. HI. jain of Clarkdale, visited
Oak Creek above Sedona.
The object of the visit was to get
first-hand information on progress
made to date on the Oak Creek high
way. They all returned highly elated
and report good news. A survey par
ty of engineers of the United States
bureau of good roads, consisting of
Ia men is camped just outside Of Sc
dona. The chief of the party is A. B.
Price, very able and competent en-
gineer. This party has just complet-
ed a survey of the Fossil creek high
way from Camp Verde toward Pine,
and is now actively engaged in loca-
ton of the Oak Creek highway.
This party has just recently been
transferred and has no report to make
as to the final location of this line.
Engineer Price very modestly stated
that in about two or three months he
might have something to say. He did,
however, express himself as greatly
pleased with Oak Creek and its won
derful scenic beauties. He added that
as far as he knew the Oak Creek high
way would offer no unusual Difficult
ties, but added that as yet he has not
made a thorough examination of the
entire line. The entire party left this
camp with the feeling that the high
way, as far as location is concerned,
is in very able and competent hands.
This is indeed good news but some
thing better is to follow. This same
party visited the construction camp
of Coconino county and reports ex-
celIent progress. Very little work
has been done on the highway until
it reaches the first crossing of Oak
Creek. Coconino county engineers
realized the impossibility of improve
ment on this section with the meager
funds available and have devoted their
energies to eliminating the crossings.
This work is under the direction
of County Engineer Lamport of Coco
nino county, and under the able
charge of Bill Hicklin, general fore
man. There are about 25 men in the
party.
About three-quarters of a mile of
road starting just below the first
crossing and going up the west or left
hand side OF the creek is almost COM
pleted, and the next three-quarters of
mile is we'll under way. They were
unable to see Lamport, although he
was in the district that day, but re-
port that Hicklin expects to eliminate
the first four crossing before the
present available fund is exhausted.
This is indeed gratifying news for
it opens the beautiful Oak Creek
country from the south to points well
above Indian Garden and Baconrirrd
Park. They are of the opinion that
the new work now being done is being
handled in an excellent way. The new
road is along the foothills and is be-
ing constructed in such manner that
it can be used as a part of the final
road. The completed roadbed will be
about II feet wide.
They all returned better boosters
than ever before, and feel that good
start has, been made on the highway.
They, of course, realize that this is
just meager start, and that much
work must still be done before the
completed road is indeed q reality
Jerome News.