providing for the taking of bids upon various types in order to secure the fullest competition, and providing also for various widths of pavement pending the settlement of franchise matters over the approaches and the decision of your Commission as to the paved width to be provided. Bids were received on September 19, 1916, and agreement having been reached meanwhile with the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company, whereby it would use the Columbia River bridge and Vancouver approach, but not the Union Avenue approach, your Commission decided to pave a 38-ft. width over Hayden Island, 30 ft. on the Union Avenue approach south of Oregon Slough and 18 ft. on the Derby Street approach. Contract was awarded on September 20, 1916, to the Warren Construction Company for bitulithic pavement on broken stone base for Union Avenue approach, macadam for Derby Street approach and bitulithic pavement in Vancouver.
The awarding of this contract provided for the last item of construction with the exception of the lighting system. Contracts for the furnishing of the main items of material for this system were awarded on October 27, 1916, to the United States Steel Products Company and the Pacific States Electric Company, and on March 6, 1917, contract for the installation of the lighting system was awarded to Nelson & Brown.
The various contractors assembled materials and equipment immediately after thesigning of their respective contracts, and construction proceeded as rapidly as the river conditions would permit. Although practically all of the contractors were working at the same time, the whole work progressed smoothly and substantially without friction or interference under the capable and efficient supervision of the Engineers' representative in charge, Mr. Frank M. Cortelyou, Resident Engineer.
Following the signing of the contracts, your Commission was occupied with the final acquirement of the lands for right-ofway. with consideration through committees of franchises and of matters relating to management of the property after the conStruction should be finished, with the determination of the income required for proper operation and of toll charges necessary to provide it. Mr. Evans concluded that certain special legislation was desirable in Oregon to simplify the control of the property and the passage of suitable bills by the Legislature of the State was secured. The Commission met from time to time to receive reports of progress from the Engineers and to approve for payment the monthly payment estimates to the contractors for the work done. The public necessities made it appear desir
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