The Sidney herald., 1960-11-30
Highway $50
CONTINUED FROM PAGE

the cost of construction given. In
round figures this estimate vas
$1,000, 100000. This amount being
considerable more than l had eX-
pected, 1 started my investigation
to see how come.
First, 1 studied the plans. These
show a very high standard, cutting
through the rolling country on a
verr good uniform grade, and
eliminating the short sight dis
tanceS on the present road. There
could be very little saved by
changing the grade line, so that
is okay. Then l looked at the soil
classification. The report shows
very poor soil, one that needs a
an At and AT soil, which is a
lot of support to hold up a road.
This called for a total depth of
Surfacing material of is feet.
Then, 1 found that there was an
underlying layer of coal along
the eastern seven miles, which
called for an additional 0.5 foot of
select material, making a total of
20 feet for about seven miles at
the east end. The remainder of the
project would require the is feet.
The 20 feet of material will be
made up of 0.65 feet of select
material, 10 foot of crushed base
course gravel, OILS feet of crushed
top course gravel for cushion, and
| N Or foot of oil mot
1 find the gravel pits are located
about 6.5 or TO miles south of the
project, making an average haul
of about ten miles.
I found the culvert items are
small; no large cost there.
The big cost comes in the
gravel; the amount of it and the
length of the haul.
1 discussed the matter with PEG.
pie here in Helena. l even spoke
about it at our Staff meeting thi.
morning. 1 talked to Mr.. w. K
Britain, in Glendive, by phone
This morning, 1 received a con
firming memo from him. Mr.. Brat
tain stated in his memo that h,
does not believe the project i
over-designed and he gives severa
reasons, to the effect that thi
road will carry grain trucks, man.
of which will be overloaded. TIL
County is not we'll equipped t
maintain an oiled road and tina
we should give them a road tina
u will fnlZ4 &~0fffn xryfth &c 1i4f1
maintenance as possible.
Everyone is agreed that the onl
/ way to reduce the cost is to short
en- the project. A study of tn
plans show a balance point at Sta
1 345 ! : 00.00, about midway in Sc,
4, T. "a ~, R. 81 E..
have therefore, requested thu
the project be cut off at this poir
and the $40 miles at the east en-
of the project be prepared for lie
J ting.
This should cost somewhel
near $200,000 in State funds. Ricl
land County now has $163, 202.t
to their credit. If the costs are
1 anticipate, it will leave I'll
Secondary Road fund for Richlar
County about 1000 in the re
The Financial District will show
balance of, perhaps, $4,000.
I am very sorry to have to tai
this action and 1 assure you it
only after a very careful study
all the items involved.
The project is still listed for Il
December letting. Many of Il
projects set for the December le
ting have been Withdrawn for o.
reason or another. If we find '
have only one or two projects le
in the December list, we m;
cancel the December letting al
add the projects to the Janua
letting. In either case, it wou
make little difference in the col
pletion date.
Very truly yours,
Fred Quinnell Jr.
State Highway Engine
By
A xry-IJ--- -