Road Projects Under Construction

1940 TRAVEL FLOW

FROM data collected at 93 traffic stations strategically located the ArizonaHighway Planning Survey keeps intouch with the flow of traffic over the StateHighway system. At 20 of these stationstraffic is counted once each month, at 53stations four times a year, and at 20 stationstwice a year, making a total of 492 eight-hour manual counts.This is a seemingly small sample fromwhich to compute the annual average 24-hour traffic flowing over 3,662 miles ofstate highways of various traffic densitiesranging from 7,200 vehicles to as low as 50per twenty-four hour period. There are alsoseasonal variations, with traffic peaks ranging in months from June, July and Augustin the north to November, December andJanuary in the southern part of the state,that must be taken into consideration.

However, in addition to the manual countsmentioned there are six electric traffic recorders located near Tempe, Gila Bend,Tucson, Wickenburg, Poland Junction andFlagstaff that are registering traffic byhour totals each day of the year. It is fromthese electric recorders that factors are developed for expanding the eight-hour manual counts to enable the Planning Survey tolevel the seasonal peaks and valleys of traffic into an annual average 24-hour trafficflow over each mile of the various routesas depicted in the accompanying flow map.After being computed the total vehicle-miles are checked with the net motor vehicle gasoline sales and the total vehicleregistration upon the basis of percent increase or decrease over the previous years,and so far has always checked, on theconservative side, within 3 percent.

It is not attempted nor would it be possible to show on the flow map all trafficinformation relative to densities and typesthat is collected each year. However, it readily depicts the relative importance of thevarious traffic routes, and any one may ascertain from this map the total or foreigntraffic, i. e., passenger cars with out-of-state license plates, at any given point byusing the scale shown in the lower left-hand corner. For the various heads of theHighway Department who are in constantneed of traffic information that they maydesign new construction for future traffic,allocate monies for maintenance, etc., amimeographed pamphlet of approximately60 pages is compiled each year containingthe seasonal variations of traffic, and thevarious types of traffic, i. e., local passenger cars, foreign passenger cars, and commercial vehicles, and also the vehicle-milestraveled over each mile of the State Highway system.

Summing up the traffic data as to pointsof interest for 1940, a marked increase of7 percent in local traffic over the year 1939was noted, nearly twice the percent of former increases of preceding years. Foreigntraffic showed a substantial increase of 5

AN ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC OVER THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM IRA L. WOOD

Traffic Statistician, Arizona Highway Department percent over the year 1939, and chalked upa new mark of 271,140,615 miles traveledin Arizona over the State Highway system,approximately 40 percent of the total traffic.

The following table, for brevity of comparison as to increase or decrease of foreignand local traffic, has been converted intoa weighted 24-hour average density for allrural State Highway mileage in each county. Contained in this table are various densities ranging from 7,200 vehicles to as lowas 50 vehicles per 24-hour period.

The seemingly low densities for somecounties are not due to low traffic densitiesthroughout those counties but to the preponderance in those counties of mileagewith low traffic densities which serve mainly as connecting links between transcontinental routes.

AVERAGE 24-HOUR TRAFFIC OVER THE ARIZONA STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM BY COUNTIES FOR THE YEARS 1939-1940

During the year 1940 there was not as great a monthly variation in foreign traffic in northern Arizona as was noted in1939, while in the southern part of the statethe monthly variation was a trifle greater. However, throughout the year 1940 themonthly flow of foreign traffic was farmore stable than in 1939, as may be noted

Many estimates have been made relativeto the amount of money that is spent eachyear in Arizona by the foreign or touristtraffic. With the data on hand the onlyestimate of this nature that this depart-ment can make is on the basis of vehicle-miles traveled on the State Highway systemby passenger cars with out-of-state licenseplates. On this basis and using the equival-ent of 10½ cents per mile spent by the oc-cupants of passenger cars with out-of-statelicense plates for sustenance, gas, oil, etc.,while traveling over the state highways, itis estimated that about $28,500,000 wasspent in this state by the tourist traffic in1940, a very conservative estimate and onewhich probably falls short of the actualamount. However, this estimate does bringto light the enormous dividend that the resi-dents of Arizona receive from the StateHighway system.

Few people realize the many and altering phases of traffic, one of which was discovered while tabulating data receivedthrough the courtesy of the United StatesDepartment of the Interior from the GrandCanyon National Park Service and BoulderDam Recreational Area service. Fromthese data it was found that the number ofoccupants per car varied greatly throughthe different months of the year 1940, asmay be noted in the following table:

Family Album Of Cacti

Extremely sharp, barbed sheaths inclose the spines, causing the spines to take a quick hold to any thing they may contact. The sheath serves as a protection from the intense heat of the desert sun, and gives the plant its straw color. Hikers find that the thorns pierce shoe leather easily. The barbs being inverted make the spines extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to remove after penetrating clothing or flesh.

Jumping Cacti belong to the genus Opuntia which includes all the species of Cholla and Prickly Pears. The Jumping Cactus is prominent among the Cholla, and abounds in the desert regions. Opuntia fulgida Engelm. is the larger of two spec-ies of Jumping Cactus, and thrives on the mesas and plains of the desert. Somewhat smaller and less branched is Opuntia Bige-lovii Engelm. known also as the Teddy Bear Cactus, and the Golden Spined Jumping Cactus. The latter prefers the slopes of the foothills as a habitat.

A phenomenon of desert plant life is the fruit of the Jumping Cactus, for it may stay on the tree for years and never over ripen. Flowers grow from the end of the fruit of a preceding year, and in the course of time produce a chain of fruits. Ofttimes the fruit falls on fertile ground, develops roots, and produces a new plant, though the seeds within the plant do not germinate.

Small reddish-brown leaves appear in the spring on the Cholla, as well as on other species of cacti. However, they are incon-spicuous, and wither after a few days.

THE PRICKLY PEAR

Our view into the family album would be incomplete without a glance at the Prickly Pear, for it outnumbers all other cacti on the Arizona desert. It has adapted itself to great climatic variations and has a greater distribution over the Western Hemisphere than any other species. These sturdy plants have advanced farther north than any other group of cacti. Areas in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Da-kota are covered with Prickly Pear growth. A few species have found their way far into Canada. The Arizona foothills, es-pecially the region which lies between the desert and the mountains, are well suited to Prickly Pears.

Well named is the Prickly Pear! Most species have fine hair-like spinelets or glo-chids which appear small and harmless, yet, are penetrating and very irritating. The stems or joints are flat, and the front view of a joint has the profile of a pear, thus the name, Prickly Pear. The flat stems are often referred to as "pads."

Prickly Pears being members of the genus Opuntia, are close relatives of the Chollas, are included in a subgenus, Platyopuntia, so named because of the flat, plate-like stems. There are several species, varying in size, color of flowers and fruit, number and size of spines, and the shape of the joints.

One species is commonly called Beaver Tail Cactus or Beaver Tail Prickly Pear (Opuntia basilaris Engelm. & Bigelow), because of the great resemblance to the tail of a beaver. Prickly Pears are also known as Desert Flapjacks. Natives of Mexico have given them the common name of "nopals." The government of Mexico has the Prickly Pear as one of the emblems on the national shield.

Flowers of Platyopuntia are among the most brilliant and beautiful of all cacti, and usually are orange or yellow in color. They open in the forenoon and close during the afternoon, lasting only a few days and then falling from the young crimson fruit.

To many natives of southwestern United States and Mexico, the Prickly Pear is an important food. Papago and Pima Indians eat the fruit either raw or cooked. Making the fruit an important part of their diet, the natives of Mexico prepare the fruit by first removing the seeds and then cooking the pulpy remainder. A beverage is also made from the "tuna" fruit, and the young joints are often used in salads.

HEDGEHOG CACTUS

Hedgehog Cacti are included in one genus, Echinocereus. "Echino" means literally "hedgehog" in Latin, and "cereus" means "torch." With the flaming blossoms in spring and summer and the bristly hedgehog appearance created by the spines, this plant is aptly named.

Hedgehogs are found growing singly or in clumps, three inches to two feet high, and one to six inches in diameter. The stems seldom branch, are tuberculated, ridged, and are densely covered with a network of spines of varying length, which gives the plant the resemblance of a hedgehog.

Several species thrive in Arizona. Two well-known species, which are commonest to the desert region of the state, are the Strawberry Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii (Perry) Rumpler, and the Cucumber Cactus (Enchinocereus fendleri (Engelm) Rumpler. The Strawberry Cactus grows abundantly in the regions of the Apache Trail. This and a few other species have a habit of leaning toward the sun, southward. In this respect it is similar to the Compass Cactus.

Among the first flowers appearing on the desert in the spring are the blossoms of the Hedgehog. They bear purple-pink flowers three to four inches long, opening in the forenoon and closing in the afternoon.

Papago and Pima Indians prize the fruit of this species as food, and it is considered one of the choicest fruits of the cactus family. The spines are easily removed from the deep purple fruit. The pulp is tender and sweet. Many enjoy eating the fruit with sugar and cream, or cooked into delicious preserves and jams.

PINCUSHIONS

Pincushion cacti are the smallest of the cactus clan, and are often referred to as The earliest type of dwelling found at the Casa Grande National Monument is the remains of the Hohokam pit house. The Hohokam culture dates back to about 300 B. C. Remains of mixing pits (right) are found showing where the caliche used in the construction of the walls of the Casa Grande was mixed.

The Casa Grande

It was a different story. In order to get logs of sufficient size and length the pre-historic builders had to go into the mountains to an elevation of at least 5,000 to 6,000 feet. The closest mountains with these requirements were the Pinal Mountains to the north and east. Here the logs could be cut, carried down the Gila River and made into rafts. These rafts could then be floated down the river to their diversion dam, and then down their irrigation canal to within about a quarter of a mile of the Casa Grande. The raft could then be broken up and the timbers carried to the building one by one. These large timbers were used as the main roof supports and were put in alternating butts and tips, thus assuring a level floor and the maximum of strength. On top of these were placed at right angles ribs of the saguaro, or giant cactus, and on top of these, the common reed grass. A mud floor was then laid over all of this, varying in thickness from six to twelve inches. In some of the rooms the ceilings slanted, but the floor of the upper room was level. They could tell by the water in the mud, whether or not their floor was level, and compensate for this by piling on the mud until the mud would stand and not run off. Thus, in some of the rooms the floors are a foot thick at the low side and about six inches on the high side.

Many inscriptions are found on the walls of Casa Grande, most of them put on between 1832 and 1901. The earliest name and date appearing on the wall is that of Pauline Weaver, a well-known pathfinder and hunter in those days. He carved on the wall "P. Weaver, 1832." It is interesting to note that his name was really Powell, the Spanish calling him Paulino, and the Americans changing it to Pauline. Other dates, mainly in the 1870's, 1880's, and 1890's also appear on the walls. In the center room of the Casa Grande appear two strange inscriptions. One, a spiral design similar to those found on rocks throughout the southwest is found on the east wall of the third story room, about a foot above the original floor level. It is probable that this design is old, but on the north wall, the same distance above the old floor level is another design of which we cannot tell the age. It could have been put on the wall in prehistoric times, but might have been put on the wall in recent times by someone who stood on the fill of the second story room after the roofs of the upper stories had fallen in and filled the room with débris to a height of about four feet. It is a maze or labyrinth with a pair of lines so arranged as to leave a passageway by which you can enter, and working your way back and forth, in and out, can finally attain the center of the pattern. There are no "blind alleys," there being only one way in and one way out. The rather startling thing about this design is that it is the same pattern that is found on Cretan coins, dating about two centuries B. C. It is believed that the Pima Indians knew of this design or one similar to it as early as 1761. An unknown Spanish traveler visited the Pima country in 1761 or

1762, and on the margin of one of the pages of his manuscript appears a maze design. He stated that it represented “ a house of amusement rather than that of a magnate.” Pimas were questioned about the design, and they knew of a game which employed a similar figure traced in the sand. The design was called Tcuhuki, the house of Tcuh. This design is now in use among the Pima Indians, the women occasionally weaving it in one of their baskets.

Another interesting thing in this center room are the “sun holes.” There are three pair of holes in the Big House. One set of these holes goes through the south end of the east wall and the other through the east wall of the east room. These do not meet. A second pair goes through the north wall of the center room and also through the north wall of the north room. Through this set one can see outside, but toward the north.

The third set goes from the center room completely through the east wall and through the east wall of the east room, so that the horizon can be seen through them. This is the set known as the sun holes. To support this theory it can be pointed out that they are in line with each other except for a small amount of settling which was, apparently, confined to the outside wall. The fact that March 7th, a date approximating the normal spring planting season, is one of the dates on which the sun shines through the outer hole, suggests that the ancients desired an annual check about this time ofyear. On October 7th, or about harvest time, the sun again shines through this outer hole. A few years ago, according to a Hopi Indian, there was a sun hole in the outside wall of his father's house and a mark on the opposite wall, so they could plant crops at the same time each year. It is possible that these prehistoric people had some means of telling time, but the other sets of holes going Interesting to the visitor, especially those from the more moist parts of the country. Numerous distant mountain ranges break the monotony of the plain. Although the region is called the Great Southern Desert of Arizona, it is not a true geologist's desert, for growing on it are numerous species of plants. These include the creosote bush, palo verde, mesquite, and ironwood, among the more conspicuous trees and shrubs, and saguaro and barrel cacti among the more conspicuous of the cacti. In the spring this arboreal desert is covered with a carpet of wild flowers. The mesquite is a sprawling tree with finely divided leaves and clusters of yellow blossoms which appear soon after the leaves and change into bunches of long bean pods which are a staple food of the range stock, as well as of the Hohokam and Salado people, the original inhabitants of the area.

The creosote bush, sometimes wrongly called greasewood, is the largest of the shrubs, growing sometimes to the height of 10 to 12 feet, more often four to six feet. It is a gracefully waving growth, branching from the roots, bearing an abundance of small Close-up of the walls of the Great House showing indications of the method of construction. The walls are four feet thick at the base and taper to a thickness of two feet at their tops. The horizontal marks result from layers of construction. Adobe bricks were not used, the stiff mortar being piled up by hand without the use of forms.

Two sealed doorways in the south wall of the west rooms. Why were they sealed? No one really knows. Perhaps the draft was too much, or their neighbors unfriendly.

The work of pre-historic architects can be seen in the reed impressions and imprints of the butts of logs used in the roof of the Casa Grande. The larger timbers were laid across the narrow widths of the room, ribs of the saguaro placed across them at right angles, and then the whole covered with reeds. On top of this the caliche floor was laid.

In different directions seem to discount this. Perhaps the reader could offer some better theory. There are also nine holes through the walls of the fourth story going in the four cardinal directions. No satisfactory explanation of these holes has yet been found.

The desert area in and around Casa Grande National Monument is very interwaxy leaves, and several times a year, small bright yellow blossoms which later develop into fuzzy grey-white seed balls. The saltbush also grows in abundance here, and is wrongly called sagebrush, because it is not a true sage.

Animal life on the desert around Casa Grande National Monument is quite abundant, the more common being the coyote, cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, mice, skunk, and badger. The reptiles consist mainly of gopher snake, whip snake or racer, rattle snake, lizards, and the Gila monster. Scorpions, tarantulas, centipedes, and other insects are also found.

Bird life at Casa Grande is abundant, because, as in other federal areas, they are protected. The great horned owl is probably the most well known of the birds. A pair of these owls and their descendants have lived in the Big House for nearly 40 years, and have reared three or four little owlets nearly every year on its walls. There are also other varieties of owls and several different kinds of hawks. Gambel quail and doves are here in numbers, and the interesting roadrunner or chaparral cock is often seen. Of the song birds, three species of thrashers, Gambel sparrows, cactus wrens, red shafted flickers, three species of fly-catchers, and the beautiful phainopepla, or silky flycatcher, are common, and at times tanagers and cardinals lend their songs and brilliant coloring to the picture. Another of the common birds is the Gila woodpecker, who dwells in the saguaro.

If one wishes to learn more about the archeology and bird and animal life within the Monument boundaries, one may take the desert trail located north of the parking area. The purpose of this trail is to introduce the interested visitor to a few of the commonest manifestations of the South-western Desert country. Each point of interest along the trail is designated by a number. In a pamphlet which may be borrowed from the custodian's office, each feature is discussed under a number indicated by the signs along the trail. By following the arrows atop each of these posts, one may see the various plants which are native to this area, archeological features such as a ball court, another large compound, trash mounds, and different types of walls. Atop one of these mounds is a directional map for finding the various points of interest which may be seen from there. If one should see a bird along the trail, there is a list of the more common forms which are likely to be seen there, so that the visitor may look them up for himself.

In the museum located at headquarters one may see many of the artifacts found during the excavation of the ruins on the Monument, and in other ruins of the same type found in the valley. Pottery types from Hohokam as well as from the Salado culture are displayed along with other artifacts belonging to these periods. Some modern baskets are displayed in the lobby, and in the room adjoining one may see further examples of modern basketry and pottery, and the technique by which they are made. One case is devoted to the reptiles and insects found in the immediate vicinity, and another case to modern Papago ceremonial material.

Southern Arizona is famous for its mild winters and Casa Grande National Monument enjoys its busiest season at that time. Temperatures seldom reach freezing in the winter and the mean maximum for December and January usually lies between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The summers, however, are very warm with a maximum of over one hundred degrees being customary during the summer months. July is the hottest month, maximum temperatures averaging close to 108 degrees. The humidity is very low and one is not as uncomfortable as the temperature seems to indicate. The average rainfall for the year is approximately 10 inches. The greatest amount is supposed to come during the month of July, however, a considerable amount of precipitation falls during the winter months.

Last year Casa Grande National Monument was visited by 12,389 persons who came from all parts of the United States and many foreign countries to hear the history of the Indians who occupied the area as it is explained by members of the National Park Service stationed at the Monument. In addition to being the third oldest unit in the National Park Service, it also serves as headquarters for the 27 Southwestern National Monuments located in Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, and southwestern Colorado.

The Monument is easily reached by driving 58 miles south from Phoenix on State Highway Number 87, or by driving 67 miles north from Tucson on State Highway Number 85 and 87. An alternate route from Tucson is by means of U. S. Highway Number 80 to Florence, then west nine miles on State Highway Number 87 to Monument. One can obtain overnight accommodations and meals in the town of Coolidge, two miles south of the Monument.

Casa Grande National Monument is open to the public from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. every day of the year. A fee of 25c is charged visitors for guide service, with the exception of children 16 years of age and under, who are admitted free when they are accompanied by parents or adults responsible for their safety and orderly conduct. A non-transferable personal guide ticket is now available for 50c which is good for the entire calendar year. The Museum and picnic area are free.

Watching the Saguaro Bloom

(Continued from Page 17) To crop every year, rain or shine. A nice arrangement for taking up huge quantities of water without bursting is provided by the vertically fluted columns, an accordion like construction that allows for shrinking in times of drought and expansion in rainy seasons. The saguaro fruit ripens in about four weeks and when mature is about three inches long and ellipsoidal in shape. The tips of the branches become gory with burst fruits in June and July, and it is then that the Indians hold the pitahaya harvest. With long forked sticks taken from skeletons of dead giants they knock the ripe fruit to the ground. The fruits are shucked like oysters and the contents dumped into baskets or pots. A portion of the pulp is boiled down to the consistency of molasses and stored in sealed jars for use during the remainder of the year. The conviviality of the harvest festival sometimes is heightened by the drinking of freshly made saguaro wine. However, the real purpose of the harvest is to obtain the life-sustaining food which is prepared by drying the mass of seedy pulp. The sweet,

Fairchild Engineer Turned Artist (Continued from Page 29)

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS has the privilege of showing some of Mr. Fairchild's work with this short sketch. The woodcuts are representative of his collection in that field of expression. His paintings in oil show both vigor and strength and in them he reveals a strong grasp of his subject matter. His colors are realistic and he has caught the sweep of terrain and the cloud formations which every traveler identifies with the Arizona landscape.

"I am yet far from the goal I have set," he says, "or rather that Nature has set. It is the old story of one who knows much about any subject being the one who is impressed by the amount there is yet to learn about it."

Whether he will ever feel that he has arrived is something that the future can tell. Built on the broad lines of a well-developed truck-driver, you sense immediately that if hard work will ever get him there he'll eventually arrive. In the meantime he has the satisfaction of picking a worthy adversary... R. C.

Road Projects Under Construction DISTRICT NO. 1

Joe DeArozena, District Engineer Lee Moor Contracting Co., has a contract for grading and draining the roadway, furnishing and placing aggregate base course, and Portland cement concrete pavement 22 feet wide with salvaged oil mix shoulders 7 feet wide. The contract begins at the junction of the Flagstaff-Williams and the Flagstaff-Lake Mary highways in Flagstaff, and extends westerly toward Williams for a distance of approximately 2.6 miles.

The work, to be completed by November 30, 1940, suspended for winter. F. A. Project 24-A 7 (1941). Α.Ε.Ε. 6623. H. B. Wright, resident engineer.

Lee Moor Contracting Company, El Paso, Texas, has a contract for grading, draining the roadway, furnishing and placing aggregate base course and a Portland cement concrete pavement 22 feet wide, with salvaged oil mix shoulders 7 feet wide. The contract begins about 8 miles west of Flagstaff and extends northwesterly toward Williams for a distance of approximately 1.5 miles on the Ashfork-Flagstaff highway. The work, to be completed by November 30, 1940, suspended during winter. F. A. Project 24-A (6) (1941), A. F. Е. 6624. H. B. Wright, resident engineer.

Lee Moor Contracting Co., has a contract for the surfacing and placing of aggregate base course and the furnishing and placing of a mixed bituminous surface, using SC-6 road oil plant mix, and other miscellaneous work incidental to the paving of approximately 6.4 miles of the Prescott-Flagstaff highway, beginning at the north rim of Oak Creek. To be completed by November 15, 1940, suspended during winter. Federal Aid Project 96-G (3) 1940 and 96-H 1940. A. F. E. 7901. H. B. Wright, resident engineer. Skousen Brothers have a contract for grading and draining the roadway; the construction of four small concrete structures and three multiple span concrete box structures over 20 feet clear span and other work incidental to the realignment of apapproximately six miles of the Ashfork-Flagstaff highway, beginning at Parks and extending easterly to the present highway near Bellemont. This is to be completed by April 30, 1941. Federal Aid Project 89-G (1) (1941) A F. E. 6622. H. B. Wright, resident engineer.

Fisher Contracting Co. has a contract for grading and draining the roadway; furnish ing and placing coarse and fine aggregate base course; furnishing and applying a special bituminous surface treatment; widening of several small concrete structures and pipe culverts and other work incidental to the the reconstruction of 1.6 miles of the Prescott-Ashfork highway, beginning about 2% miles northeast of Prescott. The work is to be completed by March 15, 1941. Fed eral Aid Project FA 36-A (3) (1941) A.F.E. 8932. C. S. Benson, resident engineer.

H. L. Royden has a contract for the construction of a 14 span concrete bridge on steel H column piles; the realignment of the channel, and the construction of rail bank protections at Detrital Wash located 36 miles northwest of Kingman on the Kingman-Boulder Dam highway. The work is to be completed by July 15, 1941. Non-Federal Aid Project 102-A (1941) A.F.Ε. 9313. C. E. Bledsoe, resident engineer.

State Forces are paving with Portland cement concrete, U. S. Highway 66, Williams. WPA participating. A. F. E. 6626. C. S. Benson, resident engineer.

State Forces are improving by widening and backsloping U.S. Highway 89, Prescott Wilhoit. WPA participating. A. F. E. 8934. C. S. Benson, resident engineer.

DISTRICT NO. 2

R. C. Perkins, District Engineer Tiffany Construction Co., has a contract for the furnishing and placing of aggregate base course, and a plant mixed bituminous surface on 10 miles of the Showlow-Springerville highway, beginning about 16½ miles east of Showlow and extending toward Springerville. The work is to be completed by December 15, 1940. F. A. Project 105-B (2) (1941) A. F. E. 6010. E. H. West, resident engineer. Work suspended for winter.

Daley Corporation of San Diego, Calif., has a contract for the construction of an underpass on the Mesa-Casa Grande Ruins highway. It is located on South Mesa boulevard in the city of Mesa.

The underpass consists of a four-lane divided highway structure and will eliminate the crossing of six tracks of the Southern Pacific railroad. The work to be done by the contractor consists of the relocation of the irrigation system; the construction of the underpass and adjacent highway structures, which allows the passing of vehicular traffic parallel to the railroad tracks and over the underpass structure; and the paving of the roadway with Portland cement concrete.

The changes in the public utilities necessitated by the construction of the underpass will be done by the utility company involved. The financing of the project is principally from Federal Aid grade crossing elimination funds with the city of Mesa providing the right of way. The project is known as the Mesa-Casa Grande Ruins highwav, F. A. G. M. 97-G (21) (on) (Unit 2) (1939-40) A. F. E. 8757. Construction must be completed by April 15, 1941. R. C. Bond, resident engineer.

Martin Construction Co. has a contract for the construction of a steel deck girder bridge over the Gila River about mile north of Safford and for grading and draining of the approaches to the bridge on the SaffordBryce highway. This is to be completed by April 15, 1941. Federal Aid Secondary Project 12-A. (1) (1939-40-41) A. F. E. 646. R. J. Holland, resident engineer.

N. G. Hill and Co. have a contract for furnishing and placing coarse and fine aggregate base course and a plant mixed bituminous surface on 18.3 miles of the Showlow-Holbrook highway beginning at Showlow and extending northerly to Snowflake. The work is to be completed by February 15, 1941. F. A. Project 136 A and B (2) (1941) and non-F A. 136 A. F. E. 7711, 7712, 7713. F. A. Berg, resident engineer. Work suspended for winter.

Warren Southwest, Inc. has a contract for furnishing and placing coarse and fine aggregate base course; mixing new and existing base course. Subgrading the roadway and refinishing slopes and furnishing and placing a plant mixed bituminous surface, (open grading) using SC-road oil on 9.4 miles of the Showlow-Springerville highway beginning about 7.1 miles east of Showlow and extending toward Springerville. The work is to be completed by February 15, 1941. F. A. Project 105 A and H (2) (1941) A. F. E. 6009 and 6014. E. H. West, resident engineer. Work suspended during winter.

Geo. W. Orr has a contract for grading and draining the roadway; furnishing and placing coarse and fine aggregate base course and a plant mixed bituminous surface, using SC-6 road oil and the placing of a type B seal coat; the construction of seven small concrete structures, one 6 span 10'x8' concrete box, one 7 span concrete slab deck on concrete piles, one 4 span concrete and steel viaduct, one 5 span concrete viaduct and other work incidental to theconstruction of 4½ miles of the DuncanClifton highway, beginning 17 miles northwest of Duncan, and extending northerly toward Clifton. The work is to be completed by September 15, 1941. Federal Air Project 138-A (1) (1941) and Federal Lands Project F. L. 15-A (1) (1941) A. F. E. 7509. R. J. Holland, resident engineer.

W. E. Orr Contractor has a contract for the grading and draining the roadway over a relocated line; the furnishing and placing of coarse and fine aggregate base course and a road mixed bituminous surface using SC-4 road oil and type B seal coat. The construction of two multiple span 14 foot reinforced concrete bridges and one single span rigid frame reinforced concrete structure and other work incidental to the construction of 1.7 miles of the Superior-Miami highway beginning about five miles northeast of Superior and extending through the region known as Devils Canyon. The work is to be completed by September 30, 1941. Federal Aid Project No. F. A. 16 (3) (1941) A. F. E. 7006. R. D. Canfield, resident engineer.

Tanner Construction Co. has a contract for grading the roadway; furnishing and placing imported borrow, aggregate base course and a plant mixed bituminous surface, using SC-6 road oil, and salvaging as aggregate base course existing aggregate base course and oil mix, and furnishing and placing of a type B seal coat on approximately 3% miles of the MesaSuperior highway beginning about 2½ miles southeast of Apache Junction and extendtoward Superior. The work is to be completed by April 30, 1941. Non-Federal Aid Project 93-B (1941) A. F. E. 8011. R. D. Canfield, resident engineer.

Olaf Nelson Construction Co. has been awarded a contract for the grading and draining of the roadway; the furnishing and placing of imported borrow, coarse and fine aggregate base course, and a plant mixed bituminous surface; the salvaging of the existing oil cake and relaying on the shoul-ders. The placing of a type B seal coat over the entire width of roadway. The construction of one 7 span continuous slab bridge and the widening of five existing concrete structures over 20 feet clear span and 10 small structures and other work incidental to the construction of 5.9 miles of the Phoenix-Prescott highway beginning at Wittman about 35 miles northwest of Phoenix and extending northwesterly toward Prescott. The work is to be completed by July 15, 1941. Federal Aid Project 76 (3) (1941) A.F.Ε. 8939. J. A. Parker, resident engineer.H. L. Royden has a contract for the con-struction of Rattlesnake Canyon Bridge, located approximately 6½ miles southeast of Clifton on the Duncan-Clifton Highway. The structure is a four span concrete deck on steel girder supported by concrete piers and abutments. The work is to be completed by September 30, 1941. Non FA project 138 (1941). R. J. Holland, resident engineer.

State Forces are paving with concrete U. S. Highway 70, Superior Streets, WPA participating, A. F. E. 7007. R. D. Canfield, resident engineer.

State Forces are resetting hignway guard, U. S. 60. WPA participating. A. F. E. 6012. C. B. Browning, resident engineer.

State Forces are changing alignment and construction curve west of Buckeye on U. S. 80-WPA participating. A. F. E. 8010. J. A. Parker, resident engineer.

State Forces are changing alignment, widening and surfacing on U. S. 60, east of the town of Springerville. WPA participating. A. F. E. 6011. E. N. West, resident engineer.

State Forces are widening with oil and constructing concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks on State Route Washington Boule-vard, 32d St., to Delano Ave. WPA parti-cipating. A. F. E. 8017. Jas. A. Parker, resident engineer.

constructing concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks on State Route Washington Boule-vard, 32d St., to Delano Ave. WPA parti-cipating. A. F. E. 8017. Jas. A. Parker, resident engineer.

State Forces are widening to 48 feet the bridge across Pinal Creek near the south city limits of Globe. WPA participating. R. D. Canfield, resident engineer. A. F. E. 2201.

DISTRICT NO. 3

J. R. Van Horn, District Engineer Tanner Construction Co. have a contract for grading and draining the roadway; furnishing and placing base material, a plant mixed bituminous surface using SC-6 road oil and "A" type seal coat. The construction of 14 small concrete or pipe structures and one structure over 20 feet clear span and other work incidental to the construction of 7.1 miles of the Benson-Steins Pass beginning 9% miles east of Benson and highway extending toward Willcox. The work is to be completed by August 15, 1941. F. A. Project 137-B (1) (1940-1041) A. F. E. 8616. P. F. Glendenning, resident engineer.

State highway engineering forces are planning and supervising the construction of 6.2 miles on State Route 92 from the north boundary of the Ft. Huachuca Military Reservation to the junction with State Route 82 (Military Access Project). Work accomplishment by WPA. A. F. E. 9202. S. R. Dysart, resident engineer.

James S. Maffeo has a contract for the reconstruction of 7% miles of the Benson-Douglas highway consisting of removal or the breaking of the existing concrete pavement; subgrading of the existing base course, the furnishing and placing of coarse and fine aggregate base course and a plant mixed bituminous surface using SC-6 road oil and a type B seal coat. The work begins about 3 miles west of Douglas and extends toward Benson. The work is to be completed by May 15, 1941. Federal Aid Project F. A. 11-C (1) (1941) A. F. E. 8004. J. A. Gilbert, resident engineer.

James S. Maffeo has a contract for the reconstruction of the existing underpass in the town of Lowell. The work consists of constructing new concrete backwalls, pedestrian tunnels and wingwalls; removing portions of the old concrete walls and facing of existing concrete piers; removing existing steel span; furnish and place new steel superstructure; apply gunite to old and new concrete faces and install electric lighting system.

The changes necessary in connection with the Southern Pacific Railroad will be done by that company.

The work is to be completed by June 20, 1941. SN-FAGH Project 79-1 (4) (1941), Benson-Douglas Highway, AFÉ 8008. A. J. Gilbert, resident engineer. Pearson and Dickerson Contractors, Inc., have a contract for the construction of an underpass and approach roadway totaling approximately .5 miles on the Benson-Steins Pass Highway in and adjacent to the city of Benson.

The underpass consists of a four-lane divided highway structure. The work to be done by the contractor consists of grading and draining the roadway; furnishing and placing select material; aggregate base course and a plant mixed bituminous surface with a type "B" seal coat; the construction of one structure over 20 foot clear span; and the underpass structure; new railroad grades necessitated by the relocation of rail-road tracks; and the placing of select material.

The project is known as the Benson-Steins Pass Highway, SN-FAGH 137-E (1) (1939-40-41), AFE 8619, and is to be completed by December 31, 1941. P. F. Glen dening, resident engineer. Pearson and Dickerson Contractors, Inc., have a contract for reconstruction and re-locating of the junction of three highways in and adjacent to the city of Benson. The work consists of grading and draining the roadway; furnishing and placing select material, aggregate base course and a plant mixed bituminous surface and a type "B" seal coat on .3 miles of divided highway and .85 miles of undivided roadway; the construction of a highway separation structure and four structures over 20 foot clear span.

The projects are known as SN-FA 18-A, B, E and F (5) (1940), Benson-Vail Highway, AFE 8002, and SN-FA 79-D (3) (1941), Benson-Douglas Highway, AFÉ 8002.

The work is to be completed by December 31, 1941. P. F. Glendening, resident engineer.

Wallace and Wallace Contractors have a contract for grading and draining the roadway; furnishing and placing imported borrow; select material and aggregate base course; the construction of five concrete boxes under 20 feet and one concrete concrete structure over 20 feet clear span on 4.55 miles of the Douglas-Safford Highway, beginning at the Cochise Over-pass and connecting with Benson-Steins Pass Highway. The work is to be completed by June 30, 1941. FAS 114-H (1) (1941), AFE 6662. A. J. Gilbert, resident engineer.

Bids have been called for 10:30 A. M., March 25, 1941, for grading and draining the roadway, furnishing and placing of imported borrow, imported borrow base course; aggregate base course and the construction of twelve multiple span concrete box cul-verts and other work incidental to the construction of 8.8 miles of the Benson-Steins Pass Highway beginning in the city of Wilcox and extending toward Benson. The contract is divided into two projects, SN-FA 137-E (1) (1941) and Non FA 137-F (1941). The work is to be completed by November 15, 1941.

State Forces are grading, draining, surfacing and fencing State Route 82, Nogales-Patagonia-Sonoita highway. WPA participating A. F. E. 8223. S. R. Dysart, resident engineer.

State Forces are grading, draining and surfacing 13.5 miles of U. S. Highway 80, Florence-Tucson highway, Oracle Junction north, WPA participating. A. F. E. 8019. D. J. Lyons, resident engineer.

State Forces are widening and surfacing shoulders, and filling borrow pits on the Bisbee-Douglas highways, U. S. Route 80, between Forest Ranch and Douglas. A. F. E. 8007. A. J. Gilbert, resident engineer.

FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY PUBLIC ROADS ADMINISTRATION New Post Office Building

February 28, 1941

G. L. McLane, Senior Highway Engineer.

W. R. F. Wallace, Highway Engineer.

W. P. Wesch, Highway Bridge Engineer, Bridge Engineer.

W. J. Ward, Associate Highway Engineer, Locating Engineer.

R. Thirion, Associate Highway Engineer, Highway Planning Engineer.

J. H. Brannan, Associate Highway Engineer, Supervising Engineer.

E. F. Strickler, Associate Highway Engineer, Supervising Engineer.

R. M. Rutledge, Assistant Highway Engineer, Acting Supervising Engineer.

V. E. Carson, Junior Highway Engineer, Acting Materials Engineer.

PUBLIC ROADS ADMINISTRATION PROJECTS IN ARIZONA PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION-Route 33, Catalina Mountain Highway, Coronado National Forest Project consists of grading and draining of a highway with prison labor on the south side of the Catalina Mountains, between a point approximately 17 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, and Soldier Camp Ranger Station near the summit. Grading has been partially completed from the foot of the mountain to a point 12.5 miles toward the summit. W. J. Ward, resident engineer.

BIDS RECEIVED-

Route 3, Flagstaff-Clints Well

Bids were opened on February 25, 1941 for construction of Arizona Forest Highway Project 3-H, approximately 16 miles south of Flagstaff. Work Work will consist of grading and construction of drainage structures. Length of project 8.3 miles. Packard Contracting Company, Phoenix, Arizona was low bidder in the amount of $125,809.95.

Route 9, Bridgeport-Roosevelt Dam Bids were opened on February 27, 1941 for construction of Arizona Forest Highway Project 9-D, E, between Payson and Pine. Work will consist of grading and construction of drainage structures including a 56 foot reinforced concrete bridge over Pine Creek. Length of project 1.7 miles. H. J. Hagen, Globe, Arizona was low bidder in the amount of $56,458.70.

1940 Travel Flow

(Continued from Page 31)

The average for year shown in this table was obtained in each instance from total volume.

It is thought that the sample obtained at Boulder Dam may be a very good criterion of the average number of occupants per passenger car for the main highways in Arizona, inasmuch as the route over which this traffic flows is a connecting link between routes traveled by local and trans-continental traffic, whereas trips to the Grand Canyon are more in the nature of side trips for recreational or sight-seeing purposes. One feature very noticeable in this table is the greater number of occupants per passenger car during the school vacation months of June, July and August.

Looking at the Grand Canyon tabulation through the eyes of people who cater to tourist traffic one might say, excluding money spent for gas and oil, that the occupants of an out-of-state car traveling through the northern part of the state during August would spend 27 percent more money than the occupants of a car traveling through the same part of the state would spend in the month of February.

For the year 1940, after Federal-aid monies and the portion of gas tax paid by tourists, i. e., residents of other states, had been deducted, it was found that the residents of Arizona spent about $4,300,000 for new construction, roadside improvement, betterment projects, maintenance, etc., on the State Highway system. It is rather difficult to picture the benefits in dollars and cents which were derived from this investment.

Yours Sincerely . . . and Sincerely to You AN ODYSSEY OF THE GREEN AND COLORADO:

I was especially interested in the article by Barry Goldwater in the January issue entitled "An Odyssey of the Green and Colorado." Major J. W. Powell, who made the first trip down the Colorado in 1869, was later the second Director of the Geological Survey. Upon showing Mr. Goldwater's article to Mr. Claude H. Birdseye, Chief, Division of Engraving and Printing, Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, this city, he immediately asked me to obtain a copy for him. Mr. Birdseye, who was then Chief Topographic Engineer, made trips down the Colorado in 1922 and 1923, and has always been deeply interested in accounts of this trip by others. An article by Mr. Birdseye entitled "Exploration in the Grand Canyon" and which appeared in the August 1938 issue of "The Reclamation Era," gives a complete list of parties making this trip up to Buzz Holstrum's solo trip in October 1937.

Thomas B. McNeill, Assistant Topographic Engineer, U. S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.

I have just finished reading Barry Goldwater's splendid article in the January issue and I would certainly like to make that same trip. Last April I stopped for what I thought would be one day at Boulder City to see my old friend, Paul Webb. The one day stretched into weeks and during the time I made a trip up the Colorado River far above Lake Mead; in fact, as far up the River as our power would take us, camp out, fishing, loafing and generally enjoying life.

Robert G. Spears, Standard Food Products, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana.

I have received the twenty-five copies of the January issue of Arizona Highways, with mailing folders. It was very kind of you to send these and I thank you very much. They will be used to a good advantage, and those receiving them from me will be the type of persons most likely to follow through into Arizona.

It amazes me how large a coverage or circulation you have. I have received letters from all over the United States commenting on the excellent story and pictures on the river trip. You have a mighty fine magazine and really worth while.

Norman D. Nevills, Mexican Hat Lodge, P. O. Bluff, Utah.

An adventure in 20th century travel. Nor man D. Nevills, whose name will be written in large type in the saga of the Colorado, was in charge of the expedition last summer when Barry Goldwater made the trip.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND:

Your book, Arizona Highways, is great, and the sight of those glorious color photographs delight my eyes. I like especially the picture and description of "Old Bill," the burro. He certainly is a tough old fellow, or should I say "hombre?" That grand view of Boulder Dam was also worth seeing.

I am a humble member of that great community, which, confined to its island fortress, is working, fighting for freedom; but when this war is won and peace comes, perhaps I shall be able to come to the United States, and travel over at least a few miles of those great highways which cover your state. I hope so.

For the present, however, the pictures in your brochure will make a good substitute, and I shall look at them often. They will carry me away for a few moments, to a land where there are no black-outs or ration books or gas masks.

Eric Fisher, 4 Mariner's Place, Leeds, England.

Just a short note to tell you how very much we appreciate the magazine Arizona Highways. When the first copy arrived, after looking through it, we placed it in the library. It proved to be one of the most popular magazines on our table. We have one young man who is especially interested in it, as he has spent a great deal of time in Arizona and the West and who says that every picture looks so very natural to him. Our librarian was telling me yesterday that she has been having ever so many students ask here every day if the next number has come yet.

Elvira Hoepfner, Alumni Secretary Lincoln College, Lincoln, Illinois.

THE FOURTH ESTATE:

The arrival of your publication always provides a repetition of a situation I have read described many times in letters in the Yours Sincerely column. It has always proved the most popular magazine received here and there are a great many of them pass through this newspaper office.

The boys in the editorial department, of which I am a member, always make a point of reading it thoroughly before I take it to my home and I am forced to show each issue to other departments. Many times the boys in the photography department have commented on the high type of art work and I usually return it after reading to the engraving department where the employes there habitually join together to study your engraving and color work.

J. Brown Maloney, The Fresno Bee, Fresno, Calif.

I must confess to a laxness over the past year or two for not writing you to compliment you on your excellent publication, Arizona Highways, as I have been enjoying it each month for quite some time now.

We have been watching your magazine for some time for photographic ideas for the presenting of our own California scenery in our weekly Automotive and Outing section and it has been helpful to us in the matter of framing, composition, use of filters, and selection of subjects.

Hamilton L. Hintz, Editor, Automotive and Outing Dept., The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, Calif.

NOTE FROM BOULDER CITY

For sometime I have been intending to write you to express my appreciation for the excellent material contained in Arizona Highways and to congratulate you upon the fine quality in the general organization of the magazine. Upon reviewing the December 1940 Christmas issue of Arizona Highways, I find it impossible to further postpone writing you.

Past issues of the magazine have been of unusual quality but for your December 1940 issue it is difficult to find superlatives to convey to you my impression of the excellent photographs and text which appear from cover to cover on every page of the magazine. You have been doing a wonderful job in capturing something of the beauty and romance of the Southwest and presenting them in a manner that your readers can appreciate and enjoy.

Robert H. Rose, Park Naturalist, Boulder City, Nevada.