Several road improvements are planned for this summer, reports the Montezuma County road department.
Crews are currently working on a five-mile section of County Road G from County Road 21 to just past Road J. The road is being pulverized, reshaped and then will be chipped sealed.
“That section has been shifting and heaving and made the worst of the worst list,” said road superintendent Rob Englehart. “Next year we will pick the next worst five-mile section, and reshape and chip seal that.”
The McElmo project is expected to cost $500,000. Englehart said the county is applying for a $200,000 grant from the Department of Local Affairs to help with the costs.
Improving Road 22 also made the list this summer. Beginning June 22 crews will re-grade, reshape, and chip seal the four-mile section from CO. 184 to County Road P.
“There are a lot of subdivisions in there so this will help eliminate dust,” Englehart said.
County road crews are working to pave in the Arriola community. One of the last sections is slated for chip seal in late June on County Road U. A one-mile section will be paved in front of the elementary school between U.S. 491 and County Road 22.
“In front of the school gets an enormous amount of traffic,” Englehart said. “Chip sealing it will make it much easier to maintain year round.”
Also County Road S accessing the Haycamp subdivisions will be receiving some improvements and upgrades this summer.
As irrigation water becomes available in canals, road crews will be grading and applying magnesium chloride on heavily used county roads.
The county recently purchased to heavy-duty water trucks for the job at an auction for a total $110,000. That brings the fleet up to nine water trucks.
Not all county roads are treated due to budget restraints, Englehart said. However, beginning April 12 private residents can schedule to pay for their section of road to be bladed and treated with magnesium chloride to control dust.
The cost is $1.25 per foot, and it must be at least a 400 foot section. Starting April 12, call 565-8666 to set up an appointment.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com