One of the first paving projects to come up for consideration by the State Highway Commission was that of the Pacific Highway between Salem and Aurora in Marion County. Upon investigating this project, it was found that rural mail was carried over practically the entire distance between Salem and Aurora. This fact made the improvement of this road subject to Federal Aid, and as very few sections of State Roads west of the Cascade Mountains will qualify for Federal Aid, it was considered advisable to use some of the Federal money available to the State in the improvement of this section.
With a view to securing the approval of this project by the Federal Office of Public Roads, and to undertaking the construction during the 1918 season, the necessary surveys were made in January and February, 1918, and the plans submitted to the Office of Public Roads in March, 1918. The final approvement by the Government was received June 15, 1918, and on June 25 proposals for the construction were received and opened. The lowest bid received was from Warren Construction Company, Portland, Oregon, but as it was in excess of the State Highway Engineer's estimate, and in excess of the available funds, all bids were rejected.
[Illustration: INTERCOUNTY BRIDGE OVER THE WILLAMETTE AT SALEM. BUILT BY MARION AND POLK COUNTIES IN 1917 AND 1918. COST $250,000.00. TOTAL LENGTH 2,220 FEET.]
The work would have then been started by the Highway Department with State forces, but it was just at this time that the shortage of labor, materials, transportation facilities, etc., became serious, and the Federal Government called for curtailment of road construction, and the Highway Commission was forced to order the discontinuance of preparation for this paving, as well as for all other proposed work in the State.
Now, that Peace is in sight, there is every reason to believe that the Highway Commission will order that construction begin on the Salem-Aurora Paving at the very earliest date, and its completion may be looked for during the 1919 season.
This paving is to be sixteen feet wide with a two-foot rock shoulder on each side. The type will depend upon the bids received. The paving will start about four miles north of the city limits of Salem and extend to the Marion-Clackamas County Line, just north of Aurora, the total length being eighteen miles. It is estimated that this work will cost $360,000.00.