ENGINEERING KEPOKTS. 
73 
Estimate of Cost of Auxiliary Road from Suchil, and from crossing- of Jaltepec 
to Ventosa. 
Most difficult part, over summit between Jaltepec 
and Jumuapa Rivers, 91 miles at $3000 $28,500 
To El Barrio, 44^ « 800 35,600 
" LaChivela, 13 " 700 9,100 
u Rancho de la Martar, 7 " 3000 21,000 
« SanGeronimo, 8 « 600 4,800 
Over plains to Ventosa. 10,000 
Total cost $109,000 
Five bridges over Jumuapa, Sarabia, Malatengo, 
Los Perros, and Tehuantepec rivers 3000 15,000 
$124,000 
Add five miles if Suchil be selected 1400 7,000 
Total cost of Auxiliary Road $ 1 3 1 ,000 
This amount is sufficient to cover all possible contingencies. 
As it appears to be for the interest of the company to open 
the line of transit as soon as possible, the first work to be done 
would be the immediate improvement of the present mule- 
road ; three or four bridges constructed, with a view to be 
used for wheeled vehicles hereafter — some of its steep declivities 
could be avoided, its crooked turns cut off, and deviations made 
from it in some places. 
A good road for mules and litters could thus be made in from 
three to four months, so as to accommodate travel throughout 
the year. It would be necessary to use mules and horses from 
the Jaltepec or Suchil, whichever may be determined upon, to 
the foot of Chi vela Pass ; here a relay of carriages and wagons 
could be in readiness to take passengers and baggage over the 
plains to the Pacific. 
This arrangement, which seems to be necessary at first, even 
if the final location of the railroad should not be made on the 
west side of the Coatzacoalcos River, would make 79 miles by 
mules, and 39 miles over the plains by carriages. 
The country traversed by this portion of the common road 
comprehends the most beautiful and healthy part of the Isth- 
mus, presenting the greatest variety of romantic, wild, and pic- 
