180 EEPOET OF THE Xo. 3 



Repoet on the Constkuction and Maixtexance of Highways and Bridges 

 Under the Provisions of the Northern and North Western 

 Ontario Development Act 1912 and Amendments. 



(During the Season of 1919.) 



To the Honourable the Minister of Lands and Forests: 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report of work done on the 

 construction and maintenance of roads and bridges under the provisions of the 

 above Acts during the season of 1919 : — 



Operations were carried on in the Districts of Eainy Eiver, Kenora, Port 

 Arthur and Fort William, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph Island, Algoma, Sudbury, 

 Nipissing, Parry Sound, Muskoka and the Counties of Eenfrew and Simcoe. 



During the season considerable work was done in the Eainy Eiver Valley; 

 23 miles of new road were cut out and constructed; during the winter of 1918-19 

 considerable gravel was hauled for re-surfacing of trunk roads. Several of the 

 trunk roads running north and south into the newW settled townships were ex- 

 tended, and tap drains dug to assist in draining off the swamp lands as well as 

 the roads. On the 1st and 2nd of July last, over 6 inches of rain fell in the two 

 days, causing great damage to the culverts and small bridges and in some instances 

 washing out the roads. This damage had to be repaired and the main trunk roads 

 were constantly dragged throughout the summer when required, and re-surfaced 

 with gravel where they became rutted. There was considerable immigration into 

 this district, and many of the new settlers in the back townships are handicapped 

 for want of roads. The main trunk roads are now in fairly good condition but 

 large expenditures will still be required in this district, to meet the requirements 

 of the incoming settlers. 



In the District of Kenora the trunk road l)et\veen Wabigoon, Dryden, Oxdrift 

 and Vermilion Bay was worked over, re-constructed in places, and surfaced with 

 gravel. In this district there is a pressing want for more roads in the agricultural 

 country between Wabigoon and Dryden on the Canadian Pacific Eailway and the 

 Grand Trunk Pacific Eailway in the vicinity of Quibell Station. This country 

 is becoming settled up and it will be necessary, in order to retain settlement, to 

 spend considerable money in the construction of new roads. 



In the Port Arthur and Fort William Districts larsre expenditures were made 

 in re-surfacing with gravel the main trunk roads : and also in constructinsf. new 

 roads. The International or Scott highway to Dnluth was put into good condition. 

 The construction of a new road running east from Port Arthur towards Loon 

 Lake, Dorion and Nipigon was beofun ; about 15 miles of this road was partly 

 constructed along the Hydro-Electric transmission line between Port Arthur and 

 the Nipigon Eiver. 



On the trunk road between Sault Ste. IMarie and Sudbury, considerable M'ork 

 was done. The gap between Algoma Mills and Cutler has been partially com- 

 pleted, nnd repair work wa> done between Cutler and Sudbury; and between 

 Algoma ^lills and Sault Ste. Marie. 



On St. Joseph Island, the work commenced three years ago was continued ; 

 and the trunk roads are now in good condition. 



In the Sudbury District, new roads were constructed, and roads previously 

 constructed were kept in repair. Considerable expenditure was made in tlie 



