Arizona Highway Commission Notes

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Arizona Highway Commission Notes

July 22, 1936.

The Arizona State Highway Commission met in special session in their offices in the Highway Building at 10:00 A. M., July 22, 1936. Those present were: Chairman Dowell, Vice-Chairman Angle, Commissioners Addams and Seale, also the State Engineer, the Secretary, and Assistant Attorney General Francis W. Wilson. Commissioner Barth and Assistant Attorney General A. I. Winsett were absent.

State Engineer O'Connell recommended, subject to the approval of the Bureau of Public Roads, that the contract on the Phoenix-Tempe Highway, W.P.M.H. 30 -A.F.E. 6071-be awarded to the low bidder, the Arizona Sand and Rock Company, in the amount of $40,831.82. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Seale, seconded by Commissioner Angle, and unanimously carried, that the recommendation of the State Engineer be accepted.

Awarding of bids received on Motor Vehicle Number Plates for the Year 1937.

Mr. D. B. Hutchins, Motor Vehicle Superintendent, recommended the acceptance of the low bid, which was that of the Grimm Stamp and Badge Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, and that the State Engineer be authorized to enter into a contract with the Grimm Stamp and Badge Company, as provided for in Paragraph three and four of the specifications. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Seale, and unanimously carried, that the recommendation be accepted and the contract be awarded to the Grimm Stamp and Badge Company, in the amount of $12,200.52.

Awarding of bids received on three thirty-ton Platform Scales.

Mr. J. R. Van Horn, State Wide Planning Survey Manager, recommended that a tabulation of the bids on Platform Scales, together with a copy of the specifications for same, be forwarded to the ERA Headquarters, at Washington, D. C., with the request that they advise what bid or bids meet with the specifications. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Addams, and unanimously carried, that the recommendation be accepted and action be deferred on awarding of the bids until a reply is received by the Engineers from ERA Headquarters, at Washington, D. C.

State Engineer O'Connell presented a letter dated June 29, 1936, from Mr. W. C. Markham, Executive Secretary of the American Association of State Highway officials, stating that a Special Committee which had been set up a year ago to make a very exhaustive study of the U. S. Numbered System, had made a partial report June 22nd, which was approved but final action on the requests made by Arizona were deferred, awaiting the complete report.

Mr. W. H. Vansile, accompanied by Mr. E. G. Lavers, appeared before the Commission as representatives of the Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, and requested the widening of the curve, located at what is called "Four-Mile Post" at the junction of the Tucson-Phoenix Highway. The Highway is under construction at this time and they hoped arrangements could be made with the contractor to widen or broaden the curve from 10° to 6°, however, Mr. Vansile stated that if it were impossible to reduce the curve to 6º now. they would prefer the State to carry on the contract with the contractor and go back to the curve later on and widen it.

Commission as representatives of the Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, and requested the widening of the curve, located at what is called "Four-Mile Post" at the junction of the Tucson-Phoenix Highway. The Highway is und-er construction at this time and thev hoped arrangements could be made with the contractor to widen or broaden the curve from 10° to 6°, however, Mr. Van-sile stated that if it were impossible to reduce the curve to 6º now. they would prefer the State to carry on the contract with the contractor and go back to the curve later on and widen it.

State Engineer O'Connell stated the change requested would require additional right of way from the Indian Service and would cost around $1200. Mr. Vanzile stated the local Indian Agent. Mr. Robinson. had been contacted and had stated that there would be no trouble in getting the necessary right of way. District Engineer W. R. Hutchins was called in and he stated the change would cost more than $1200 and the contractor would reach the curve referred to in approximately three weeks. After discussion. it was regularly moved by Commissioner Addams, seconded by Commissioner Angle, and unanimously carried, that the Engineering Division give Mr. Vanzile and Mr. Lavers their assistance in obtaining the necessary right of way and. if the right of way is obtained within the time limit of three weeks, the change go through, and, further, if the right of way is not obtained. that the road construction continue as laid out. It was regularly moved by Commis-sioner Addams, seconded by Commis-sioner Angle, and unanimously carried, that in the event the right of way is secured for the requested widening of the curve, the necessary amount of mon-ev that will be required to make said change, be transferred from projects located within Maricopa County.

It was regularly moved by Commis-sioner Seale, seconded by Commissioner Addams. and unanimously carried. that a resolution pertaining to the establish-ment, location and delocation and speci-fic destignation of that part of the Pres-cott-Ash Fork Highway, designated as Alternate Route 89, be adopted.

Communications transmitted by Mr. W. L. Carpenter, Superintendent of Equipment, from Mr. Hubert Richard-son. owner of the Little Colorado Trad-ing Post at Cameron and from Mr. F. N. Grant, District Engineer, relative to the water shortage at Cameron. were pre-sented to the Commission. It was reg-ularly moved by Commissioner Seale, seconded by Commissioner Addams, and unanimously carried, that Mr. A. C. Sie-both, Right of Way Engineer, and Mr. W. L. Carpenter, Superintendent of Equipment. be authorized to negotiate with the Indian Service and report to the Commission as to whether or not permission may be granted to develop the springs and assurance thereby ob-tained for future water needs for main-tenance camps.

Letters were presented from Prescott Local Union No. 94 and Phoenix Local Union No. 274, of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers of America, requesting the Commission to concur in hourly wage rates recently established for machine operators and truck drivers on construction work. It was brought out that estimates on contracts were made on the basis of the old wage scale, whereupon, the Secretary was instructed to receive and file the communication.

A letter was read from Mr. Harry Amster, Secretary of the Jerome Chamber of Commerce, requesting the oiling of the highway from the top of Mingus Mountain to Jerome and the surfacing of the stretch of highway from the top of Mingus Mountain south to the pavement. The Secretary advised that he had answered this communication stating that plans are being worked up with all expediency by the Engineering Di-vision to take care of these projects and the communication was ordered placed on file.

A petition was read from citizens of Tempe asking the construction of an underpass instead of an overpass on South Mill Avenue. Mr. R. A. Hoff-man, Bridge Engineer, was called in and he stated an overpass would cost approximately $57,000 whereas, an under-pass would amount to approximately $75,000. State Engineer O'Connell stated the plans for the McClintock over-pass are ready and that there is $125,000 set up in the budget for the two grade separations, which money must be spent before July of next year. The estimated cost of an overpass on McClintock Ave-nue as given by Mr. Hoffman, was $59,-935. After considerable discussion, the Bridge Engineer was instructed to im-mediately start designs for an under-pass on Mill Avenue and to call for bids on an overpass on McClintock as soon as possible.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was regularly moved, seconded and carried, that the Commission adjourn at 4:30 P. М., July 22, 1936, to convene again at the call of the Chair.

EDITORIAL

(Continued from Page 12) Industry. Some of these have been men or women with writing skill, others have been those engaged in research and stenographic work. In short, respectability and confidence have been renewed. These, the finest heritages that Americans have, must not be lost, never neglected. Any sort of governmental "relief" which protects them is justified, regardless of cost. But in this organization it is not an expense; it is an investment already paying dividends.