40 
THIRTY-SECOND PARALLEL ROUTE. 
From Pimas, Maricopa well, to Fort Yuma, is 167 miles. 
Maximum grade will not exceed, per mile, 4.5 feet. 
Approximate cost per mile, $24,000. 
Total cost, $4,008,000. 
The valley of the Gila being so convenient to the navigable waters of the Colorado, and 
supplies and material can be readily delivered, that it is thought that an addition of 50 per 
cent, to eastern prices is ample for this portion of the route. 
Section 5. THIRTY-SECOND PARALLEL ROUTE FROM MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO SAN DIEGO AND SAN 
FRANCISCO. 
This route may be divided into the three'sections, eastern, central, and western. The Eastern 
section extends from Fulton, on the Eed river, to the crossing of the Rio Grande, at Molino, 
and forms the route surveyed by Captain John Pope, Topographical Engineers. 
Its total length is 787 miles, and approximate cost is estimated at $31,575,000. To connect 
this section with the central, and to have the crossing of the Rio Grande within our own 
boundary line, it will be necessary to ascend the Rio Grande about five miles from Molino to 
opposite Frontera, crossing about one half mile above the initial point of the boundary. 
Assuming Captain Humphreys’ rate of estimate, we have for this connecting link—• 
Five miles, at $45,000 per mile.... $225,000 
Bridge across Rio Grande.. 12,000 
237,000 
Making total cost of eastern section. $31,812,000 
The Central section, from Fronteras to Fort Yuma, 545 miles, adding $480,000 for 32 miles 
($15,000 per mile) up the Rio Grande valley, is estimated to cost $19,622,000. 
The Western section depends, of course, upon the adopted terminus of road on the Pacific 
coast, whether at San Diego or San Francisco. The Fort Yuma and San Francisco section is 
subdivided into the Fort Yuma and Los Angelos, and Los Angelos and San Francisco sections. 
The former, from the survey and examinations of Lieutenant Williamson, Topographical 
Engineers, made in 1853, has a length of about 238 miles, and it is estimated by Captain 
Humphreys to cost about $10,710,000. 
From Los Angelos to San Francisco, via the coast route, the distance is 396 miles, and the 
approximate cost is about $20,668,750, (see page 18;) making the total length of western section, 
taking San Francisco as the terminus, 634 miles, and approximate cost $31,378,750. 
Since Lieutenant Williamson’s examination of the passes leading from the Colorado basin 
through the mountains to San Diego, a more detailed examination has been made of this 
mountainous district, resulting in the development of new features in regard to the approaches 
to the main pass, which were of so favorab.le a character that a detailed instrumental survey of 
the new route, through Warner’s, was undertaken under the auspices of the San Diego and 
Gila Railroad Company. This survey was conducted by Mr. Charles H. Poole, Civil Engineer, 
and the report and estimates in detail, which he kindly tendered me, will be found in Appendix B. 
From this report it appears that the total length of the Fort Yuma and Diego section is 189.1 
miles, and the total cost $7,571,500. The greatest elevation to be overcome is 3,579 feet; 
maxinum grade, 107 miles. 
