The Winslow Underpass

The Winslow Underpass Chairman Dowell Officiates at Dedication of Another Arizona Grade Elminination Project

HELTON G. DOWELL, chairman of the Arizona State Highway Commission, officially dedicated the new Winslow underpass December 15. Chairman Dowell appeared on the program with many state, county and Winslow dignitaries. The chairman's address follows: "I consider it a real pleasure and honor to be invited by you good people of Winslow to the dedication of this modern and up-to-date highway underpass. You may feel particularly honored because it has been erected in the city of Winslow, that gateway to those wonders of the world the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest. I also feel that your city is destined to become a mecca for the tourist in his exploration of the virgin country of the north.

"It is perhaps needless but at the same time fitting that I should briefly sketch the origination of this highway that is so rich in historical and romantic adventure. The Mormons who settled Brigham City, one mile north of here, in 1876, traveled over this very location on their way to Rock Station where they picked up the Santa Fe Trail to pine timber country for the lumber for their dwellings. The Santa Fe Trail was used from the 1860's until the completion of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway, (now the Santa Fe Railway). All transportation was laborously carried on by ox teams and horses. The Long Valley road follows the general direction of the very route used by those early pioneers. It is my understanding that the U. S. Forest Service has spent over one million dollars in improving this road within the Coconino National Forest. The early-day tourist with his team of oxen would wait all day to cross the track if necessary. We, of today, in our hustle and hurry find that time is a golden thing, not to be wasted in waiting at crossings.

"I would like to tell you a little about the enormous amount of material necessary to build this underpass. This structure necessitated the removal of 14,500 cubic yards of earth. There were 3,000 square feet of concrete poured into this underpass. They were put there for YOUR SAFETY. Over 180 tons of steel were imbedded in its walls and ceiling for YOUR SAFETY. These are just a few of the items that were used for YOUR SAFETY. The cost of this project was $150,000.00. The state of Arizona has returned to you people of Winslow, $150,000.00 of your tax money in the form of insurance that never will there be a loss of life, or precious time at this Once slow crossing. 70,000 man-hours of labor were used to build this underpass which eliminates three grade crossings and their 3000 cars daily.

"There have been 41 grade crossings eliminated in Arizona by grade separation, underpasses and overpasses, and

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