Page:California Highways and Public Works Journal Vols 8-9.djvu/54

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4
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC WORKS

Barn, a distance of some 20 miles, the average depth exceeding 24 inches of snow, with a maximum of 3 feet at Long Barn.

By strenuous efforts and continuous operation a rotary snow plow maintained a two-way road between Murphy's and the Big Trees, where the winter sports were enjoyed by thousands of people over the week end. Traffic on this route was not interrupted at any time.

Truck plows and tractor plows performed their share in the work of keeping the All-Year Highway open into the Yosemite. Some trouble was experienced on January 12th, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., due to a 15-inch fall on the Briceburg Hill, but this, too, was

removed, and travel allowed to complete their journey from the park.

In the southern portion of the state some 70 miles of the Ridge road was blanketed with a cover from one to three feet deep. Some 12 pieces of equipment operated over this stretch, consisting of truck and tractor plows, which later were supplemented with a rotary.

Two-way and one-way travel was allowed over this route, with the exception of the period between Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Considerable trouble was experienced on this route, due to the heavy trucks which attempted the grade without being provided with chains. The storm also caught many of the motorists unprepared, and they were restrained from attempting the trip not being provided with chains.

On the Arrowhead Highway leading eastward across the Desert to the state line some 4 feet of snow fell at Cajon Pass. Some 6 pieces of equipment labored continuously during this period, supplemented by men with shovels, to maintain a continuous one-way road throughout this storm.

Between Beaumont and Banning, at the Desert's edge, east of Redlands, the pavement was covered with some two feet of snow.

However, this at no time interfered with traffic.

East of San Diego on the Border Highway, falls of snow were had near Pine Valley, Buckman Springs, and Boulevard, yet by the efforts of our crews this route was kept open.

All in all, the weatherman has provided an

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