Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels Sites

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on Candelaria Road in Toa Baja.

"The YCHS Newsletter for January and for February of 2009 appealed for society members to fill out a form reporting on New Deal projects that they knew of personally or in which members of their families participated:" "Betty Mae Haines tells of projects in the Capay Valley. 'Many men were employed from Esparto to Rumsey. I knew many. I think my father may have worked on it and maybe other family members. Anyone and everyone had a job.' Particularly, they worked on 'the bridge above Rumsey on the way to Clear Lake.'"

The WPA conducted a large-scale reconstruction project at the Cape May Naval Air Station, located at the easternmost part of Cape May. A thorough history of the installation can be found at Abandoned & Little Known Airfields (airfields-freeman.com). There are few traces of the New Deal- and WWII-era installation remaining, though an abandoned runway is still visible. The facility is now the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center. Cape May County Gazette wrote in 1936: “One of the finest WPA projects granted this section is the rebuilding of the U.S. naval Air Station at Cape May, on which work has already been started....

The Civil Works Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on the Cape San Juan Lighthouse Road in Fajardo.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including Capen Street, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

Preservation of Capital Reef began with the declaration of Capitol Reef National Monument on August 2, 1937, via Proclamation 2246 signed by President Franklin Roosevelt.  The original area set aside was only 37,711 acres. Administration of the new monument was placed under the control of Zion National Park and the National Park Service, but Capitol Reef National Monument did not officially open to the public until 1950.  It became a National Park in 1971, under President Richard Nixon, with a much expanded area of 241,000 acres.  The park is 100 miles long but narrow, running north to south, in south-central Utah. It...

The Works Progress Administration completed improvement work on Capitol Street in Charleston, Kanawha County.

1940 WPA stamp at Capp and Adair in San Francisco's Mission District. Apparently every corner on Capp St. used to have these stamps.

At Capulin Volcano National Monument "the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) ... the retaining wall around the Visitor Center parking area." Modern imagery suggests that the parking lot may have been redone.

"The road leading up and around Capulin Volcano National Monument in Union County was constructed by the Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) by twenty-five local men between December 1933 and April 1934 thanks to the leadership of Homer Farr, who was a local power figure and the first director of this site. They also created campgrounds. He communicated with the Roosevelt Administration tirelessly in order to provide employment for the local men and to get the road done."

"Stone retaining walls that line streets and highways throughout the region -- along Route 611 in Easton, Spruce Street in Tamaqua and Carlton Avenue in Bethlehem -- were WPA projects." This approximately 350-foot-long retaining wall begins on Carlton Avenue halfway between W 8th and W 9th Streets, then curves to the west on W 9th St. to Hess St. The wall is identified by an inscribed stone at its north end (on Carlton Ave.): "Erected by W. P. A. 1935"

Among the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects identified as completed in an El Paso Times article from June 7, 1936 was "Hard-surfacing of Carolina Drive and Buford Way, Lower Valley, distance of 6.6 miles, $22,512.92. Living New Deal is unclear as to which road is Buford Way.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) reconstructed Lake Placid's Carolyn Road in 1936. The Lake Placid News reported: The WPA has allowed a grant of $11,622.40 for improvements on Carolyn road. The town of North Elba project is designed to employ 34 men for four months to widen, grade, and build gutters on the road from Chubb Corners to the Lake Placid - Saranac Lake highway.

Delaware utilized substantial federal resources in developing and improving its road network during the Great Depression. Among the dozens of projects undertaken by the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) during 1934 was construction along Carr Road to the Washington Street Extension in Wilmington. An average of 1,410 were put to work each week during 1934 as a result of the CWA's road, sidewalk, bridge, and other related infrastructure efforts in Delaware.  

Access to the Carranza Memorial in Tabernacle, New Jersey was difficult prior to the advent of the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA widened and reconstructed what had been a seven-foot-wide sand road, clearing brush and trees along the way. The end result was a 33-foot-wide graded road. The project was completed ca. May 1937.

Cleveland's Carter Road Lift Bridge, which spans the Cuyahoga River, was constructed in 1940 with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The building is still in service.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) each helped to construct Casper Mountain Road. "In addition the constructed new and improved existing roads, including not just the conspicuous road snaking up the north slope of the mountain (that was started as a CWA project, although that too may have been an improvement of an existing pathway) but also roads on the top of the mountain."

A New Deal federal aid project, what is now the westbound span of the Mississippi River Bridge in la Crosse, Wisconsin was constructed in 1939-1940. A plaque on the bridge reads: State Highway Commission of Wisconsin Bridge No 300 1939 Federal-Aid Project 397-G Built in cooperation with U.S. Bureau of Public Roads

The WPA worked on Castro St. between 17th and 19th and between 24th and 26th.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved a segment of Cathedral Avenue NW, from Idaho Avenue to New Mexico Avenue. The WPA graded this road, and also prepared it for paving with a foundation of salvaged material: “The old material is obtained from old roadways which have deteriorated due to the strain of heavy later-day traffic and were replaced by new standard type pavements.” Also, “There was a considerable amount of fill material placed on the north side of this roadway in order to widen it. After the fill had been completed a temporary curb and sidewalk was constructed.”

“Lincoln County was not far behind Clark County sites in terms of federal funds spent on park developments. The county received approval for a fair share of state-operated recreational facilities that's to the collective efforts of the county commission, the Caliente Chamber of Commerce, state senator L.L. Burt, and Congressman Scrugham. Lincoln County was anxious to promote its little-known natural attractions, including the intense red spires and erosional features at Cathedral Gorge. After purchasing park properties with federal Public Works appropriations funds, Congressman Scrugham and Senator McCarran secured a CCC camp for Panaca to build new parks. A full company...

The federal Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook several road improvement projects along roads in Brooklyn, New York. One such project involved the removal of malls and other repair work along the modest stretch of Caton Avenue from McDonald Ave. to Fort Hamilton Pkwy.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration (with funds from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration) carried out new road construction connecting Cavanillas to Santa Cruz Rd. in Carolina.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees from Camp Nehalem were charged with constructing a truck trail, or fire road, along the lower Nehalem River to create greater access to the forested land in that part of Tillamook County. One of the first requirements involved building a bridge to cross the Nehalem River just north of their camp. Construction of the bridge near Camp Nehalem drew attention since it was judged to be one of the largest bridges in the northwest built as a CCC project. The Oregon Journal reported: ". . . the boys cut the trees, hewed the timbers, mixed and 'applied' the...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established a camp near the town of Callao, west-central Utah. It is unknown to us which years the camp operated. From their base of operations in the camp, CCC workers constructed a road over Sand Pass and erosion terraces, fences, and reservoirs on range lands. They also built campgrounds (possibly in what is now Big Basin National Park). When the camp closed, one of the camp buildings was moved to the town of Callao UT, where it was used first as a Mormon Church and later as an elementary school.  A site presently known as 'CCC campground', lying...

A sign marks the site of a former CCC camp at Linden: "As part of the New Deal's efforts to offer unemployed workers jobs on public projects, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the United States Congress created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in March 1933. Three months later, Company 1814 was organized in Fort Logan, Colorado, to serve in reforestation and other conservation efforts. After transfers to Groveton and Austin, Texas, the company was transferred to Linden on June 4, 1937. The CCC enrollees in Linden established their camp here on the nearby hillside. Working closely with the U. S. Forest...

A commemorative marker erected in 1984 reads: "Created by President Franklin Roosevelt and approved by an Act of Congress in 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) provided youth employment programs during the Great Depression. The Lufkin CCC Camp, located near this site from 1933 until 1942, was administered by the Texas Forest Service. Young men helped to build roads and bridges, string telephone lines, and plant trees. The Lufkin CCC Camp proved to be instrumental in relieving unemployment but also helped revive the East Texas forest industry through its use of progressive forestry techniques." (https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us)

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)'s Company #1193, Camp Britton, was based at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Windsor, Connecticut. It operated from Sept. 12, 1935 to May 26, 1937. Work included planting trees, insect eradication, forest improvements, road building, and clean-up work after the flood of 1936.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.)'s Camp Cross housed Co. 182, S-51, and operated from June 20, 1933 to Apr. 1, 1941. It was based "in the rock-strewn valley of the Housatonic River." According to the CCC Museum, work included the "creation of 12 miles of truck trails, including Gold Road and Titus Road," and "clean-up work after the 1936 flood of the Housatonic River." CCCLegacy.org: "For eight years Camp Cross was set up in the Housatonic Meadows State Park in Sharon. The enrollees were World Was I veterans who pitched their tents across the road from the Housatonic River. They built 12...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.)'s Camp Fechner, which housed Company #2102 at Wooster Mountain State Park in Danbury, Connecticut, conducted the following improvement and development work: "removal and burning of over 80,000 elm trees to control Dutch Elm Disease; construction of roads; forest fire suppression and prevention; forestry work; control the Pine Shoot Moth; assistance in the lower Connecticut River Valley after the Flood of 1936." The camp operated from Sept. 12, 1935 to May 24, 1937.

“A former CCC camp is located at the base of Hart Mountain. From this camp, Company 3442 carried out various projects, including fence construction and the installation of telephone lines. The remaining building was the camp infirmary. The CCC campsite will be developed as a campground in the future. Refuge personnel supervised the building of the existing refuge headquarters buildings and residences, which feature CCC-era stonework.” –“CCC Landmarks: Remembering the Past”

Located nine miles northeast of Wheeler in Tillamook County, Camp Nehalem was the home to Company #2908 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees from 1935 to approximately 1941. Company #2908 was known as the "Oregon Company," being made up entirely of Oregon enrollees. Its project designation, P-221, indicates that the company worked primarily on private forest land. When the company was formed in 1933, CCC Camp Boyington near Astoria housed the 200 enrollees of Company #2908. From 1933 - 1936, severe forest fires plagued the area and many of the CCC companies provided forest fighting services. The company was moved from its...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)’s Camp Roberts, which housed Company #175, was stationed at Black Rock State Park in Thomaston, Connecticut. The camp was established May 30, 1933 and was discontinued Sept. 28, 1937. The camp's "main projects were: building miles of truck trails, survey and boundary work, gypsy moth removal, tree planting."

The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.)'s Camp Toumey was stationed at Mohawk State Forest from June 25, 1933 to July 26, 1941. "Named for James W. Toumey, Dean of the Yale School of Forestry, CCC men from this camp lived among the rugged hills and panoramic vistas of northwestern Connecticut. This camp was originally designed as a camp exclusively for veterans of World Was I and, as such, the enrollees were older. But as the veterans' need for employment waned, younger enrollees were gradually added to the camp." Among other projects linked to from this page, accomplishments included: "fighting forest fires; making improvements...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.)'s Camp White, which housed Company #106 at American Legion State Forest in Barkhamsted, Connecticut, operated from Dec. 28, 1933 to Jan. 1, 1942. C.C.C. Museum: This camp was named for Alan C. White, who was a leader in the campaign to purchase the land that would become Peoples State Forest. The original site of Camp White is now used as a youth group camping area and the building site and camp roads are still visible. The camp had a tree nursery and built the Stone Museum as a natural interpretive center. The museum, nursery building, and camp office are...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)'s Company #176, Camp Wolcott, was based at Paugnut State Forest in Torrington, Connecticut. It operated from 1933 to 1937. Work accomplished included construction of 8 miles of truck trails and many miles of cross-country ski trails.

From Our Mark on This Land (2011): "If you have driven, hiked, or slept in the Chisos Mountains, you have experienced CCC history. In May 1933, Texas Canyons State Park was established; it was later renamed Big Bend State Park. Roads and trails were needed for the new park, and the CCC provided an ideal workforce. A year after the park was established, 200 young men, 80 percent of whom were Hispanic, arrived to work in the Chisos Mountains. The CCC's first job was to set up camp and develop a reliable water supply. The CCC boys faced many challenges, living...

This smaller, concrete CCC project from 1940 is located at the west side of the junction of Lincoln Street and N 11th Street in Klamath Falls, OR. This smaller, CCC-built project is located along what's known as the 'A-Canal', one of many 'lettered' irrigation canals that make up the Klamath Water Project. The A-Canal serpentines its way through Klamath Falls and is THE first of the lettered canals to divert water from Lower Klamath Lake to other lettered canals throughout the Basin. The CCC camp responsible for creating this concrete retaining wall in 1940 was either Camp 19 (Project BR-41 / Co....

Delaware utilized substantial federal resources in developing and improving its road network during the Great Depression. Among the dozens of projects undertaken by the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) during 1934 was construction along a thoroughfare connecting Lincoln (south of Milford) and Shawnee (SW of Milford). An average of 1,410 were put to work each week during 1934 as a result of the CWA's road, sidewalk, bridge, and other related infrastructure efforts in Delaware.  

The bridge carrying Arkansas State Highway 45 over Cedar Creek north of Bonanza, Arkansas, was constructed by the Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) in 1942.