The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1939-07-13
Riding On
Tho


UlS ou4CdU u b
They returned home with the
idea that they had been given
a fine ride ON the merry go
round.
We all know that the Hardin
Custer highway was one of the
first state highways located In
Montana. Some work was done
in early years. Further work was
done on this same stretch OF
road through the State High
way department and Federal
Bureau of Roads. Later a con-
tract was let for two additional
miles and still later a little re-
lief work was done on the road
until at the present time ap-
proNimately four miles of the
highway have been graded and
crush rocked. An additional
mile has received considerable
base gravel. The road has been
renamed and rededicated on
different occasions.
Last fall the voters of the
state were asked to favor a
three million dollar debenture
issue to be used principally to
match federal funds for feeder
roads and seven percent road
systems on the basis of SIS per-
cent by the Federal government
and As percent by the state:
This money was to be divided
between our feeder roads and
seven percent highway system.
Big Horn county must pay its
share of these debentureS.
These bonds are to be redeemed
from moneys collected through
the state gasoline tax over a
period of 10 years.
The State Highway Depart
ment had provided for a con-
tract to be let for approx
mately three additional miles
of the Hardin Custer highway
extending north at a cost of
approximately $55 10000 o and
this was to be Big Horn cOunty'S
share of the debenture money.
The stretch of road was much
surveyed, rights of way were
secured and sent to Helena, the
date of letting was tentatively
set and we were all awaiting
the actual letting. Then the
letting began being deferred
with the explanation that the
Federal Bureau of Roads was
considering placing this high
way ON the seven percent Sys-
TEN.
Our Highway Commission ex-
planned that it would not make
any expenditures OF our state
money, which we voted for and
must repay. until the Federal
Bureau of Roads approved the
work. In other words, the Fed
eral Agency has the final say
as to where and when our state
money will be expended. It was
stated, in effect. that because
the Hardtn-Custer road was so
important a highway and there
was so much travel on it that
we could not have a contract
on it from this three million
dollar state debenture issue.
but must wait until some future
time when some funds might
become available.
We are now in this position.
There is a strono sentiment Of
fically recognized bv our high
way commissioners that already
located seven percent highways
must be compelled before new
Nv located ones can be built.
It will probably take nearly five
years to complete the ones a
ready designated. This would
imply that if present means of
obtaining and continuing funds
for highway construction on
the seven percent system con-
tinue, in about three to five
years our road may be subject
to consideration for future con-
Struction work.
At any rate it leaves us with
the Custer road about to De
placed on the seven percent
system with no early hope for
a contract.
It is estimated that approx
imately two-thirds of the bond
money has been allocated to
road contracts and that much
more construction than the bal
ance not allocated will pay for
is being urged on the commits
sioners. A process of elimination
is therefore being worked out
and we appear to be the full
beneficiary under that process.
In other words Big Horn coun-
ty is being given a trip on the
merry-go-round, while the 9TH
er counties are securing the
benefits of the bond issue mon
ey.
Our big sister to the west,
where one of our State High
way Commissioners uomiciles,
seems to be getting her full
share. Our consideration in the
shuttle of the cards is, to have
another designation, another
name if YOU please, given to
the heaviest traffice highway
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