The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19

four out OF nye ROAD users is cOm-
parable to that of more than S19,-
10000 for local roads carrying
only the remaining fifth of the
traffic, and emphasizes the farm-to-
market road feature of the new
plan. Only motor vehicle revenue
and federal highway aid is being ex-
pended on the state highways, the
report adds.
Completed mileages of new grad
ing and paving for 1924 are above
annual averages, there being SOS
miles of grading against 5O4 aver
age and 80 miles of paving against
80 annual average. The paving
total for the year, however, includ-
ed 80 miles of short pieces in
ties and villages charged against
the trunk highway fund under re-
fundment laws. Only PTS miles of
new crawling, including rs miles
done by maintenance account, was
added during the year.
These improvements and the
bridges, all permanent betterments
for the big part, represent an ex-
penditure of slightly more than $8,-
| 100000 for construction this year
Other figures in. the report indicate
that, barring new legislation to in
crease income or working capital
less than $3,000,000 will be avail
able for improvements next year, in
which event construction will be cur.
tailed to less than a third of that
of averages for past three years
Twenty new bridges this year
was below average and notably less
than in 1921 when 101 new struc-
lures were built. The bridge de-
partment, however, carried on ex.
tensive repair work, rebuilding IL
repairing SO, repainting Al and re-
flooring SIS old bridges.
Earth and rock moved by con-
tractors on state highway work this
year measured nearly 100000
cubic. yards. This yardage in one
place would make a pile 800 feet
high and mile in circumference
at the base.
Construction was virtually all by
contract on best bids which con.
tinued on the low levels of other
years, according to the report.
Construction was virtually all by
contract on best bids which con.
tlnued on the low levels of othe,
years, according to the report.
! Minnesota highway maintenance
forces carried on heavy operations
during the year. Maintenance ex.
penditures on trunk routes went
over the $3,5O0,000 mark for the
first time. The total was increased
by costly upkeep on heavy traveI
sections where, the report indicates
paving would mean an actual saw.
ing and much greater satisfaction.
More than 1000 miles, including
| temporary routes, also an extra STE
miles of detours, were maintained
Seventy-fve miles; including temper.
airy routes, also an extra SIS miles
4 of detours, were maintained. Seven.
| ty-flve miles of new crawling and
l539 miles of detours, were main.
tanned. Seventy-five miles of new
gravehng and $50 miles of reprayel.
ing were built by maintenance ac.
count, also 408 miles of light and
l68 miles of heavy grading or re-
shaping. About 10000 cubic yards
OF earth were moved in grading
cuts and fills. Twenty miles OF
ditching was completed: 5,709 feet
of tile and 6,157 yards of riprar
placed. 724 culverts were installed
and 72.097 feet of new guard rail
was built and 38,466 feet was re-
paired
This work was done mainly by
regular maintenance employees. in
Guiding 958 patrolmen on 5000
miles; 81 truck patrol gangs on 955
miles and tractor patrol units
covering SO miles.
State trunk highway mileage is
greater than that of the largest
railway systems, with one or two ex-
ceptions, the report adds. and to
cover it all would require Is days of
travelling at $50 miles a day