New Highway Along Clear Lake
View on new highway bordering Clear Lake.
THE new section of state highway between Clear Lake Oaks and Lucerne was thrown open to travel on December 14, 1929. An elaborate program had been prepared to celebrate the opening of the road, but heavy storms forced its curtailment. Despite the rain, however, the occasion was duly feted at a banquet held at Lucerne. Robert Austin of the Redwood Empire Association presided as toastmaster and felicitatory messages were received from many distinguished citizens, including a message of congratulations from Governor C. C. Young.
While the contract had not been entirely completed when thrown open to travel, grading and surfacing was practically completed. The section is a part of the Tahoe-Ukiah Highway.
The length of the section is 10.6 miles, and its cost is approximately $285,000. The contractors are von der Hellen, Pierson and Logan of Medford, Oregon.
It has required one year to complete this construction, the contractor having started his work December 11, 1928. The highway as completed is graded 24 feet wide and surfaced with untreated crushed gravel 20 feet wide by 6 inches thick, which will be oil-treated during the coming summer. The material for surfacing was obtained locally. Approximately 225,000 cubic yards of roadway excavation was required in this construction.
W. G. Tinney was resident engineer in charge of the work for the state. This portion is the first unit of the Tahoe-Ukiah road completed between Ukiah and Williams.
The completion of this unit, together with other projects under way, will make the country in the vicinity of Clear Lake easily reached by highway transportation, the value of which is reflected in the desirability for existing and proposed residences and resorts along the lake.
