The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1924-10-17
WELLINGTON HIGHWAY
Is AN IMPORTANT ROAD
Highway Department Work
ing Out Plans for Improve
ment of Smith Valley Road

One of the most important roads in
the state from the standpoint of both
local and thru travel is that in Smith
Valley leading from the Douglas coun-
ty line, through Wellington, to a con-
nection with the completed highway
just east of Smiths postoffice in the
heart of Smith Valley. The construc-
tion of the Wilson Canyon highway
made available direct route between
Smith and Mason Valleys, shortening
the distance by road some seventeen
miles and acting as an immediate SIM
ulus to the trade relations between
these two valleys, as well as contigu-
Gus trade territory southwark into the
Sweetwater country, and up into An
telope Valley and the eastern slope of
the Sierras. The completion of the
highway to the west county line, there
fore, became part of the general de-
velopment plan of the community,
which includes the largest private ir-
rigation enterprise in the state with
its attendant drainage and other de-
velopment plans.
Flowing into Smith Valley from the
west is the West Walker river, one
of the finest trout streams as well Is
one of the most beautiful mountain
streams in the western country. On
this river is located Topaz Lake, one
of the important water storage units
of the Walker river irrigation district.
The river enters the valley through
Hoye Canyon, a narrow rock walled
canyon approximately two miles in
length. Through this canyon the pres
ent county road is located, as well as
number of large irrigation canals,
so that the one side of the canyon
with a gentle slope is entirely occu-
pied by irrigation works with prior
rights, necessitating the construction
of any new roads or other improve
ments on the opposite and rough side
of the canyon. Early in the existence
of this department the question of q
highway location entering Smith VAL
ley from Minden was taken up, and
extensive engineering Investigations
have since been carried on, so that
the final result was the selection of u
rout entering the valley through
smaller canyon about one mile north
Of Hoye canyon, the route selected in
volving construction of a much lesser
cost and adding no appreciable length
to the route through the valley, says
the Highway News.
Naturally there was some local SEN
timent favoring entrance to the valley
through Hoye canyon rather than ov-
er the route selected by the state and
approved by the federal bureau of
roads, but after an explanation of the
excessive cost of the work in the can
yon and the danger to same on ac-
count of the irrigation canal in the
canyon, this sentiment readily swung
to support the route selected, and en-
dorsed the request of the board of
county commissioners that construc-
tion work proceed at the earliest pos
sible date. AS result of meeting
with the board of county commission
ers on October 6, the completion of
the plans is being rushed, and it is
the expectation of the department to
be able to place the work under con-
tract within a few weeks. Savings
affected in feedral funds on other
projects made it possible to finance
the construction of the project this
fall instead of at tier date when ad-
ditional federal funds are expected to
become available; therefore, due to
the favorable conditions for securing
low bids on the work at this time, and
the further fact that the work can be
carried out and completed during the
winter months in time for the spring
traffic, considerable saving on the
cost is expected to result, as well as
having the project completed several
months earlier than was thought pos
sible. Several minor details relating
to rights of way yet remain to be ad-
justed, but it is not anticipated that
these matters will cause any serious
delay on the project.