Flathead County approves dust‑control, engineering and crack‑seal contracts for 2025 road program

The Flathead County Board of Commissioners approved three Road & Bridge items intended to keep this summer’s maintenance program on schedule: an engineering agreement to evaluate calcium chloride and update bidding documents for the 2026 dust control program, the 2025 dust cost‑share contract with Lyman Dust Control Services of Montana LLC, and a 2025 crack‑seal contract with Z & Z Asphalt Inc.

Road & Bridge staff said the county’s dust‑control costs have risen. For next year the county authorized Robert Pesha & Associates (agreement for $28,500) to evaluate calcium chloride as a potential dust suppressant, recommend application rates and longevity, and prepare updated bidding documents. "They will take us through that process, figure out how we would utilize that product, and then they will also create the documents for us for bidding for next year's program," a staff member said.

For the current 2025 program, Lyman Dust Control was the sole bidder; Road & Bridge recommended awarding the contract at $1.65 per lineal foot. Staff said they expect to treat roughly 120–125 miles this year and noted this price is 25 cents per lineal foot higher than last year because of material supply issues.

The county also approved a crack‑sealing contract with Z & Z Asphalt (price of $1.48 per lineal foot) using a budgeted amount of about $150,000; staff said the contractor provided bonds and insurance and expects to complete work before June 30, weather permitting.

All three contracts were authorized by motion and carried on voice votes.