The Paving of the Finley Road
Benton County commissioners upgrade infrastructure plans from gravel to asphalt for the new state highway.
It is now practically certain that a state highway is to be built between Kennewick and Finley, and that the road is to be of asphalt macadam construction rather than spread gravel. This change in specifications was decided upon at a meeting of the county commissioners Saturday upon the recommendations of the state highway commissioner. County Engineer C. D. Walter completed the survey of the proposed road the latter part of the week and work can start as soon as final action is taken by the commissioners at their regular meeting next month, and the contracts can be let. The board believes that an asphalt road is in the best interest of Permanent Highway No. 4, as a water-bound road will not be practical in this climate.
“The board believing that the recommendation of the said principal engineer is for the best interest of the said Permanent Highway No. 4.”
Infrastructure debates in rural Washington have deep roots; just as these commissioners debated the durability of asphalt versus gravel for the Finley road, modern municipal leaders continue to balance long-term construction costs against limited tax funds in a rapidly growing region.
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