Show c. c c controversy boils Construction of dips on La LaSal LaSal LaSal Sal mountain roads rOMS a a. project begun a afew afew afew few years year ago to control water run off and eliminate tho the need for expensive cut cul verts has created considerable comment among local residents Although Forest Service officials who defend the construction construe tion state they have had no formal protests pro pro- tests to the practice those who spend much time visiting with mountain travelers trav trav- elers olera can find plenty who viol violently dis cUs agree with the water The Tho controversy has come out Into tho the open however this week with construe tion of a number of the dips on a stretch of important road that crosses the northend north northend northend end of the La serving the mining area of Polar Mesa and tho the ranches on the east side of the tho La The road w was s originally constructed by the tho Bureau of Public Roads and Atomic Energy Com Comm mission and since has has been maintained by Grand county It was well wen surfaced with gravel and was nearly up to quality for possible future paving Now the stretch contains a number of where the gravel has Ras been rem removed ved Co County nty commissioners ran ranchers hers and truckers have lodged protests as is shown in our Page 1 story And the Forest ServIce Service Service Ser Ser- vice has Mas halted their work at least for forthe forthe forthe the present But the fact remains that the roadway y is now not as easily traveled as na it once was As infrequent travelers to mountain spots we find little to complain about on the tho narrow roads which do not ca carry heavy cross mountain travel Although tho the dips necessitate slower speeds they have made maintenance easier and do not impede travel But on the main mountain roads such as the one going to Polar Mesa construction of dips can only serve serveto serveto serveto to downgrade roads that should be continually continually con con- upgraded We feel the Grand county commission era ers have made some good points It is to tobe tobe tobe be hoped that an amicable solution can be be- reached by the agencies involved before any more w water bars are constructed And the solution should contain a master plan for future Development of mountain roads with primary routes being continually im proved for future paving and lesser routes constructed so 80 that the least amount amount amount am am- of maintenance can keep them in passable le shape |