The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1928-03-16
RAIDER WRITES OF
HIGHWAY PLANS
ROAD MAGAZINE SAYS WOLF
POINT BRIDGE is CHIEF
PROJECT IN '28

Ralph D. RAIDER, chief engineer
for the Montana State Highway
commission, is the author OF an
article in the current issue of the
western Highways Builder" a
leading road magazine published
at Los Angeles. Mr.. RAIDER tells
of the definite ten-year road pro
gram launched in 1927 by Mon
tana. He says that the Wolf
Point bridge is the principal pro
iect contemplated for the 1928
activities. The article complete is
reprinted below
Montana has a small highway
program as compared to some OF
the other states, but we believe
hal this program will be ade-
ouate and that within a very few
wears tourist traffic will have no
valid criticism to make OF the
road service provided. A three
cent gasoline tax was voted in
November of 1926, the proceeds
of which go to the State high
wav commission for the construc-
ton of federal aid roads. Mon
tana share of of federal aid has
heen about 81, $4,000 each year.
This is matched with state funds,
the state paying 1884 per cent
and the federal government 65,46
Der cent of the cost.
1o-Year Program
During the year 1928 approx
mateIv two-hundred-fifty miles OF
new road will be completed, and
the same amount each succeeding
wear II is expected that the
whole federal aid system Will be
completed within ten years. WORK
&c being done so as to improve the
worst sections of the through
highways first, leaving the better
nortions of the existing roads for
later construction. In this way
through traffic will be provided
for within a few years.
Montana has adopted a crusheu
Gravel screen for all highways.
fourths screen for all highways.
We believe that conditions IN TINS
Toto demand a completed mile
oqo of roads of this type, and that
- would be poor economy to spenu
tho funds available on paving
,,,hiob is not justified by the trat-
sio Our aim is to make our loca-
+ione as perfect as possible, ana
- mild the structures, grades
o1ionment to as high a stand
ords as if immediate paving was
contemplated. In this way we pro-
.,ido that none of the present con
a+r,ction will be wasted when
funds are available and the Ira
fic increases to such an extehC %
,~.oouire paving. Fills VIII then
10 thoroughly shrunk and settleo
and the gravel surface SO COM
noc+ad as to form an ideal pase
for the paved surface. Where INC
Gasfio in too heavy for the mann
hence of the gravel surface u
- intended to use asphaltlc Oh
treatment.
Wolf Point Bridge
The largest single bridge e coz
+emplated for construction IN 80
:. = hridge over the Missouri fly
- wolf Point which VIII prop,
NV cost between $5Oo'oo anu
500 900. At the present tinle
so,a is no bridge over the MIS-
mi between Fort Benton anu
Cnowden. a distance of about !oI
niles The bridge at Won I'm
Iii therefore, be a vital lac'ol
+ha development of the eastern
mart of the state. the consul:
zion Of this bridge is maze po'9l
W. Nv the fact that the north MAJ
Iii lie in the Fort Peck lnolai
reservation and will be palu M ~,
+;ra1v bv Federal Aid. I'M
south half will receive 'he """
"a AZ of federal aid.
M Montana is the third larg ga,
s+ota in the union, Texas anu 90
.sornia only having larger areas
Montana's population, however, =
loss than all of nine state anu :
lose than that of many OIL III
tics of the United States. |
YOU add to this fact that a larg !;
hart of the road mileage hes 49, !
the Rocky Mountains where co,
struction is very difficult n az e.
pensive, and also the TACT + [Is
about 10 per cent of the ao !,
area of the State is non-taza foi
p;ntrre of the general problem {