During the war period, both for patriotic and economic reasons the employment of steel bridges was discontinued and wooden truss bridges used instead. Now that the demand for steel for war purposes has subsided, and there are indications of a decline in the price of structural steel in the near future, the resumption of use of that material in the construction of bridges will probably be more general. ELIMINATION OF GRADE CROSSINGS The Department is working consistently for the elimination of dangerous grade crossings. No less than ten grade crossings have been done away with as far as through traffic on State Roads is concerned, during the past two years. Most of these eliminations have been brought about by holding roads on the same side of railway tracks instead of crossing over and back. Two of the eliminations, however, were brought about by grade separations; one near Rex in Washington County and another near Ashland in Jackson County, both of these grade separations being undercrossings. An agreement was also reached whereby a reinforced concrete overhead crossing will be constructed to eliminate a very dangerous grade crossing on the Pacific Highway near Divide, in Lane County. This structure would have been built in 1918, but on account of the requirements of material for war purposes, the United States Highway Council ordered the construction delayed. It will undoubtedly be constructed during the 1919 season. FEDERAL CO-OPERATION In 1916, the United States Congress enacted a law making available $85,000,000.00 of Federal Government moneys for co-operation with the several States in the construction and improvement of roads. Of this amount, $75,000,000.00 is appropriated for co-operation on "Post Roads," roads over which either rural or star post routes are operated, and $10,000,000.00 is appropriated for co-operation on "Forest Roads," roads within or partly within National Forests. During the five year period prior to July 1, 1921, there will become available to the State of Oregon from the Government Funds set aside by this Act the following amounts: ===============================+================+================ | For | For | Post Roads | Forest Roads -------------------------------+----------------+---------------- July 1, 1916, to July 1, 1917 |$ 78,687.00 | $ 127,794.00 July 1, 1917, to July 1, 1918 | 157,375.00 | 127,794.00 July 1, 1918, to July 1, 1919 | 236,062.00 | 127,794.00 July 1, 1919, to July 1, 1920 | 314,749.00 | 127 794.00 July 1, 1920, to July 1, 1921 | 393,437.00 | 127,794.00 +----------------+---------------- Totals |$ 1,180,310.00 | $ 638,970.00 -------------------------------+----------------+----------------