Road & Bridge outlines equipment purchases, County Road 60 paving, and rising mag‑chloride costs

Grand County Road & Bridge officials briefed commissioners on July 22 about capital and maintenance plans, including three new motor graders in a seven-year replacement cycle, replacement of aging water and plow trucks, a skid-steer for the Fraser shop, and replacement of fuel-station cameras. The department also reported plans to seek quotes and possibly expand the County Road 1 asphalt project to include an additional curve near the kiosk and explained that County Road 60 paving work has been completed for the first 3,000 feet with additional segments planned in August.

Staff said mag‑chloride — used for dust control — has seen price increases (an increase of roughly $0.18/gal mentioned) and warned of further hikes because a regional supplier consolidated operations. Road & Bridge said some fuel/storage cameras are at end-of-life and that the county will pilot replacement at Kremmling with a $6,000 budgeted amount, then consider full replacement (estimated total for all sites higher; staff cited a planning figure in the low $20,000s).

Staff also described an immediate facility improvement: renovating the Old Gore firehouse (to be used as a Road & Bridge storage/shop) including widening a human door to improve grader storage access. Staffing: the department reported being short roughly four operators across Road & Bridge divisions and continues to recruit; the temporary winter program has been useful in past seasons.

Commissioners discussed turndown and asked staff to consider long-term equipment plans and potential housing solutions for recruitment; staff said they are working with housing programs to identify options for recruitment and retention. No formal votes were taken; staff will return with procurement timelines and bids.