The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-10-07
WinkIer Tells
Rep. RoweOf
Highway Plans
Surfacing, Also Completion
To Within Mile of Idaho
Line Is Contemplated
DISCUSS MONTANA 81
LIBBY TO JENNINGS

In an attempt to obtain authentic
information regarding plans for
highway construction in this dis
trlct, State Representative Charles
D. Rowe recently wrote Al F. Wink
Ter of Kalispell, chairman of the
State Highway Commission, asking
him for the desired information. Mr..
Rowe received long letter in reply,
and because of the widespread in
terest in the information impaired
by Mr.. Winkler, Mr. Rowe has per-
mltted this newspaper to make GER
tain excerpts from the letter
How About No. 2
Mr.. Rowe asked regarding plans
for construction of No. 2 west of
Troy to the Idaho line Mr. Wink
Ter replied that all of No. 2 west of
Troy IS forest highway and under
the jurisdiction of the federal Pub
lie Roads Administration, and that
the State does not let contracts
covered by forest money. However, |
he said he understands the Public |
Roads Administration will let con-
tracts soon for resurfacing the ST |
mile project directly west of Troy !
that went to pieces so badly inn |
HlGQ4dtClJ lOl4OWlAlE NOilobl 0NJAOll |
He also understands a contract is |
to be let for surfacing the Libby
Jennings project, distance of 8.29 /
miles
In order to check on this infor-
nation regarding forest projects,
Mr. Rowe interviewed William G.
Guernsey, supervisor of the Koo-
tenai national forest. Mr.. Guernsey
c1f1 mill lo Lot in,
near future for the re-Surfacing job
he understands the p R. A. will let
tion of No. 2 to within about a mile
of the Idaho line. The unfinished
mile will be left for a final location 4
of No. 2 in Idaho
Idaho Is At Work
Mr. Guernsey also stated to Mr..
Rowe that Idaho authorities are 4
now working on No. 2 west of the
Idaho line; that he understands they I
intend to rebuild and oil that sec
ton of No. 2 at once, clear to the
Montana line, over the present To-
cation. He presumes the building '
Of a new bridge across the Moyie
river on new location, will await
the appropriation of more money by /;
the federal congress. (
Information as to Surfacing of the I
Libby-Jennings project was not so
According to Super i
visor Guernsey, this project has t
been programmed for completion E
but that its priority is somewhat q
low and there is a possibility that V
forest funds will be exhausted be- t
fore the local project is reached. c
However, this project is program e
ned and will be constructed as soon v
IS funds are available.
Under the congressional act that | f
became operative in 1916, only &c., h
100000 was appropriated for forest p
Dads in all the 48 states, said Mr.. il
Winkler in his letter. Consequent Il
y there has been little money avail a
lble for Montana or any other State s
or forest roads on our system of Z
he said. il
Mr.. Winkler continued with, \
Montana has about $50 miles of p
crest roads on our system During Il
he war years no construction was c
at ALL and due to the G
ack of appropriation for forest Il
money since the war we have had 81
marked slowing of road develop O.
nent on forest sections. This is Il
noticeable in Lincoln n
ounty because a major portion of n
10Th primary and secondary roads CT
n Lincoln county are forest roads.
IS I have said everything on No. ~
vest of Troy is forest road. Almost y,
Il of No. 81 between Libby and y,
,ureka is forest road, and a large T.
ortion of No. SO between Eureka -
nd Whitefish is forest road. D
"The State Highway Commission =
its only in an advisory capacity =
/ the ALLEGATION of forest money, !
18th the Forest Department and the T
ublic Roads Administration" con- D
nued Chairman Winkler "The =
, R. A. executes and supervises =
he construction. After one or two l;
ears the State accepts the job for M
said Winkler. Mr.. ~
Vinkler also said the State has re- r
lshed to accept for maintenance
ne project directly west of Troy -
ntil it is re-surfaced.
"