TIGHT SQUEEZE FOR NEWSMAN ON LOPEZ PROJECT ROAD
Jack Magee stands between two cars on narrow curve
August 10, 1968Upper Lopez Canyon Road was built along a ridge to replace the old and even narrower original road soon to be beneath the waters of the new Lopez Lake.In the era of super highway building it was a shock to see a new road only 16 feet wide, four feet less than standard.The road provides access to church and Boy Scout camps as well as Big and Little Falls.
Here are the first paragraphs of a story by staff writer Jack Magee.Remember those old country roads so narrow you had to wait for the other guy to pass—and honk your horn going around the bends?Well, there’s one a lot like it on the eastern fringe of the Lopez Water Project area northeast of Arroyo Grande.Only this one is brand, spanking new.
As the story says, Lopez project engineers specified the road at 16 feet. It would be up to the county to widen it.Quoting Magee again,
So it looks like traffic over the road will certainly increase—if it can. Those who drive it may find their insurance boosted if their agents find out.For, this skinny, spaghetti-string of a road seems made to order for sideswiping, with its curves, switchbacks, foot-deep drainage ditch in sections and blind corners.Sometimes, going around on of the tight curves carved through hills or chiseled out of cliffsides, you half expect to meet yourself coming the other way.
The reporter also talked to the project construction superintendent Parker Van Neman.
There’s always the outside chance you won’t meet any oncoming rig on the curves. And anyway, Van Neman observed reassuringly, those extra-long outside mirrors on campers fold on impact.
The photo was by Barry Minett**Another story on the front page tells of Richard Nixon’s pick for vice-president, Maryland Gov. Spiro T. Agnew. Mitt Romney’s father, George, was in the running as well as Gerald Ford but Nixon wanted an aggressive campaigner.Agnew.
“You can look him in the eye and you know he’s got it. This guy has got it,” said Nixon….“People say he’s not known. That’s nonsense in this day and age. He’s known now and as the campaign goes on he’ll become better known.”Agnew, Nixon said, is “one of the most underrated men in America.”
Both would be elected and later resign in disgrace.This year, 2008, the Olympics will be held in China, unimaginable in 1968 before Nixon opened relations with the communists.
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Nothing has changed on this road in regards to the width since it’s construction. The chipped edges make it narrower in spots; the many pot-holes are more difficult to dodge; the usage has increased; the near misses more prevalent; and yet this does not slow the traffic down nor does it keep people away. The 4×4 crowd love this road; it’s a great challenge to them, especially after partying and drinking at Big Falls. I maintain the Upper Lopez Canyon roster for all the residents and will pass this interesting story of the canyon’s history along with the new roster. Thank you for the local history lessons.
Naturally, newspeople will complain about something, anything.
This article brought back many fond memories. My dad was Parker Van Neman and I traveled that road many, many times with him both during and after the construction of the dam. Although he seldom talked about it I know that he was very proud of this project. He was involved with every step of the building of the dam from the purchase of the land the lake sits on to the opening of the spillways this was ultimately his project. I think that he would be tickled to know that the road that we drove over so many times is still the same today as it was when the asphalt was first laid.